#Ports&Shipping - The final newbuild of 10 short-sea traders commissioned for Arklow Shipping, the Arklow Villa was launched at a Dutch shipyard this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Yard no. 730 Arklow Villa is singledecker built at Royal Bodewes shipyard in Hoogezand. The newbuild was given the yard's customary sideways launch which took place at 10.00. 

The 2,999grt shortsea trader is built to the yard's in-house Eco-Trader 5,150 series which began with the launch of leadship Arklow Vale in 2015.

The series can otherwise be referred as the 'V' class given their vessels naming nomenclature which saw last month a previous sister Arklow Viking began sea trials. This sister has a main engine (MaK 6M25 1740 kW) generating about 12.5 knots. 

Eco-Traders are constructed using efficient hull design to minimise drag and thus reduce fuel costs. The final sister will also operate for Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. meaning that the latest 87m newbuild will fly the Dutch flag and have Rotterdam as a port of registry. 

The launch follows Afloat's recent report on the acquisition of second-tonnage to Arklow Shipping's Irish flagged fleet.

Arklow Dale is the latest addition having been a former Flinter Group B.V. cargoship, Flinter Arctic that belonged to the Dutch company that totalled around 50 vessels. This fleet total was similar to ASL's two nations flagged fleet comprising mostly of short-sea traders and several deep-sea bulkers.