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This Time 'Its All New' At Arklow With Launch of Third Eco-Trader

31st March 2016
The lastest Bodewes built Eco-Trader 5,100dwt newbuild Arklow Valiant is to be launched tomorrow. The lastest Bodewes built Eco-Trader 5,100dwt newbuild Arklow Valiant is to be launched tomorrow. Credit: Photo Merijn Visser

#ItsALLnew – It will be a first for Arklow Shipping now in their 50th year as a new general cargoship launched tomorrow is to be bestowed with the name Arklow Valiant, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Also setting a new departure for the 'Valiant' is a considerably different bow design when compared to a previous pair of completed sisters, Arklow View and leadship Arklow Vale. The latter single-hold cargsoship which is designed with energy-saving bow characteristics is currently docked in Dublin Port today.

Arklow Valiant represents the third of the Royal Bodewes Eco-Trader 5,100dwt series built to the Dutch shipyard’s own design. The newbuilding no.723 is to be launched tomorrow morning at Hoogezand on th outskirts of Groningen.

To compare the new design of the bow, click previous footage here of Arklow Vale and that of a photo of newbuild on her first call to Dublin Port in January.

The cargoship is one of a 10 ship order by Arklow Shipping. They will serve Dutch division, Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. based in Rotterdam and among the bulk dry cargoes they will transport this will include grain, animal feed and steel rails.

A previous generation of ‘V’ class vessels but built to a different design were disposed last year by ASL. The ageing trio were named Arklow's Viking, Venture and Vale.

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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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. 

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