#ArklowNewbuilds - Arklow Shipping's latest newbuilds are a general cargoship and bulk-carrier completed from Dutch and South Korean shipyards respectively and together they raise the fleet total to some 44 vessels, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Arklow Bank is understood to be the first of six 'B' class general cargoships ordered by ASL and was completed by Ferus Smit B.V. of Westerbroek in the Netherlands.
Notably, her design differs compared to her older counterparts in that she has a larger tonnage of 5,065 tonnes, an additional superstructure deck and hull design particularly the 'straight' stemmed and bulb-less bow.
This new hull form will give these new 'B' class vessels greater 'green' advantages as the longer and sharper waterlines reduce wave resistance even in rougher conditions, thus lessening impact irrespective of loading draft as deadweight of 4,800 tonnes allows to maximise cargo volume. The 119m long ship which is classed with Bureau Veritas has a two-hold grain capacity of 9902,6m³ and for bale of 349.706ft³ . Powerplant is a Mak engine delivering a maximum 13 knots.
She will join the company's Dutch division, Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. based in Rotterdam, from where the newbuild takes that port of registry. This Dutch fleet forms a minority within the overall fleet that flies the Irish tricolour and registered aptly in the homeport and headquarters of the company located on the banks of the River Avoca.
Adding to the Arklow based fleet is the second newbuild, Arklow Spray which is a 'S' class 34,500 dwt tonnes bulk-carrier completed by Daesun Shipbuilding & Engineering of South Korea. Likewise this newbuild is also classed under Bureau Veritas.
Principle dimensions of the 22,868 gross tonnage Arklow Spray are length 182m, beam 30m and a draft of 10m. She easily surpasses both the companies 'W' and 'M' class of bulkers (see Arklow Mill as previously reported) in terms of overall dimensions.
Arklow Spray is the second of this new design following lead ship, Arklow Spirit which entered service last year. The pair each has five holds handling a grain capacity of almost 47,000m³ and for bale just shy of 45,000m³. Cargo-handling is served by 4 x 30t MacGregor Electric cranes. A main MAN engine plant delivers a maximum speed of about 14 knots based on a cargo-laden capacity.
The newbuild sisters continue to inherent the 'S' class vessel naming theme of a previous generation of much smaller Dutch built bulkers. Arklow Spirit became the last member of these ships to be sold off in recent years.
