Arklow Dale is the first D-class newbuild launched for Arklow Shipping, through its Dutch subsidiary, having splashed into a canal adjacent to a shipyard in the Netherlands, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Aside from workers of Ferus Smit’s shipyard in Westerbroek, curious canal-side onlookers eagerly awaited with smart phones at the ready to capture the moment as the almost 130 m (129.95 m) length overall (LOA) Arklow Dale, with new build number (Nb). 479 made an amidships launch yesterday.
The splash and resultant wash added to the drama for spectators. During the launching procedure, tugs were fore and aft, with mooring lines attached to the newbuild, to ensure a safe launch onto the Winschoterdiep Canal, where, as an added precaution, the adjacent road was temporarily closed.
Its launch near Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands represents the first of six 11,500 deadweight (dwt) tonnes 'eco-friendly' dry-cargo traders for Arklow Shipping, whose impressive fleet of modern tonnage keeps pace with the requirements of its clients.
This year Arklow Shipping Ltd, which is Ireland's only indigenous shipowner, marks a major maritime milestone since its foundation in 1966 by Captains James Tyrrell, Michael Tyrrell, and Victor Hall with seven ships. Now in its 60th anniversary, ASL aptly has the same number of ships currently in its fleet as further outlined below.
ASL, with its Co. Wicklow head office and fellow charter team of Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V., has a combined Irish and Dutch flagged fleet of short-sea traders and deep-sea bulk-carriers, as Afloat previously highlighted, and is a large player operating in the bulk-trade and charter markets, in particular throughout Europe.
Arklow Dale is understood to be managed by the mainland Europe office based in Rotterdam, and where the giant port will be its port of registry; as such, Afloat research brings the tally to 22 Dutch-flagged ships out of the current combined 60-strong fleet.
New D-Class Follows Flinter Trio
Coincidentally, the shipyard group that built Arklow Dale is also where its same-named predecessor was launched, albeit originally named Arctic Flinter, for the Flinter Groep B.V. of Groningen, which collapsed having become bankrupt in 2016. As Afloat reported four years later, Arklow Dale was the third of three same-class Flinter ships acquired by ASL to become another of their generation ‘D’ class ships.
The 10,539 dwt cargo ship changed ownership firstly to Thurco Shipping A/S, as they renamed it Arctic until ASL’s acquisition in 2010 and subsequent renaming as Arklow Dale and continued trading as Seawolf, and today is underway in the mid Mediterranean Sea, bound for Foyleport, having departed Damietta, Egypt.
Newbuilds Technology Features
Its newbuild successor, Arklow Dale's, cargo hold capacity is around 470,000 cft, with two box-shaped cargo holds, and is designed for a wide range of dry bulk and general cargoes. As previously covered, only the lead ship, Arklow Dale, and the next newbuild, of the entire six-ship series, will be equipped with a fully electric Sennebogen excavator for self-discharging stone cargoes. This further expands the operational flexibility of these particular newbuilds and will enable efficient cargo handling in harbour settings.
The new design developed by Ferus Smit incorporates a high degree of modularity and flexibility, with provisions for future alternative fuels, battery technology, and further developments in energy-efficient operation. This extensive future-proof approach allows the vessels to adapt to changing operational and environmental requirements throughout their lifetime, setting a new standard for the design of modern and flexible cargo vessels.
Furthermore, according to Ferus Smit, the new design developed by the shipbuilder incorporates a high degree of modularity and flexibility, with provisions for future alternative fuels, battery technology (as outlined below), and further developments in energy-efficient operation.
This extensive future-proof approach allows the vessels to adapt to changing operational and environmental requirements throughout their lifetime, setting a new standard for the design of modern and flexible cargo vessels.
The newbuild is powered by a 2,400 kW ABC main engine driving a controllable-pitch ducted propeller. A 560 kWh battery system is incorporated into the electrical installation, providing additional flexibility and efficiency during operation.
Also incorporated with these newbuilds is an energy storage technology supplied by EST-Floattech, which will deliver its Octopus Lite battery system for each ship.
Following the launch of Arklow Dale, the newbuild will be outfitted for completion before being towed along the canal network to Delfzijl, on the Ems estuary with neighbouring Germany. From there shipbuilder sea trials are to take place in the North Sea, which will lead to an eventual official handover delivery from Ferus Smit to one of its loyal clients, ASL.
