Launch of Arklow Shipping's Final Eco Trader 6,800dwt Class Completes Seven Ship Order

14th July 2024

Arklow Rover is the newest and the final of seven 6,800dwt Eco-Traders which was launched today at a Dutch shipyard for the Irish ship-owner. The newbuild dry-cargo ship is due to be delivered in the Autumn. Credit: Royal Bodewes -facebook

The launch of Arklow Shipping Ltd's final Eco Trader 6,800 deadweight (dwt) class cargo ship from a Dutch yard on Friday marks the completion of a seven-strong series, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arklow Rover took to the waters at the Royal Bodewes shipyard in Hoogezand, near Groningen, with the transverse launch of the dry cargo mini-bulker that forms the latest line-up of the Irish shipowner’s fleet modernisation programme.

In a timeframe of one year and seven months, ASL and Bodewes have collaborated on the launch of the newbuild class.

The 104.98m length overall (LOA) newbuild has two cargo-holds where there are two portable bulkheads along with pontoon type hatch covers.

The launch of Arklow Rover completes the Eco Traders / R class that began with the lead ship Arklow Racer, which was launched on 16th December, 2022 and was delivered to ASL exactly two months afterwards.

Below is a list of all seven of the Eco-Traders and the delivery dates of these newest Irish-flagged and Arklow registered merchant cargo ships.

Arklow Racer - 16/02/2023

Arklow Rally - 19/06/2023

Arklow Rambler - 10/10/2023

Arklow Ranger - 11/01/2024

Arklow Resolve - 22/03/2024

Arklow Rose - 21/06/2024

As for the delivery date of the Arklow Rover, according to ASL the expected date is the 27th September.

Published in Arklow Shipping

Tagged under

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

About Arklow Shipping

Arklow Shipping Limited, one of Ireland's leading shipping companies, has marked over 50 years of operation following its establishment in 1966.

The company, which began with a fleet of seven ships, has grown steadily over the years and now boasts a fleet of 59 vessels.

The company was founded by Captains James Tyrrell, Michael Tyrrell, and Victor Hall, who collaborated to create an umbrella company to operate their ships. This move allowed them to reduce overheads and strengthen their position in the market. The original fleet comprised seven ships, namely Tyrronall, Murell, Marizell, Valzell, Kilbride, River Avoca, and Avondale, all of varying sizes.

The shipping industry in Ireland underwent a significant transformation in the 1960s, with the replacement of traditional auxiliary schooners with modern crafts.

Arklow Shipping was at the forefront of this change, and the founders recognized the need for a new approach to shipping in Ireland. They built a company that could adapt to the changing market demands, and this has been a key factor in the company's continued growth.

Over the years, Arklow Shipping has bought, sold, and built ships, facing the challenges and opportunities that come with operating in the shipping industry. Despite these challenges, the company has remained committed to meeting market demand and providing high-quality services to its clients.

Today, Arklow Shipping is a leading player in the shipping industry, with a strong reputation for reliability and professionalism. The company's success story is a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders, who laid the foundation for a company that has stood the test of time.