The launch of Arklow Crest has culminated in the final newbuild of a ten-ship series for Irish shipowners, when the short sea trader took to the waters at a Dutch shipyard last Friday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

With a newbuild number of 436, Arklow Crest slid into the canal at Ferus Smit's shipyard in Westerbroek which was contracted to build the new design cargo vessels for Arklow Shipping.

The Co. Wicklow shipowners having received the leadship of the series, Arklow Cadet which took place in 2016. During this year the shipyard completed a trio of the 'C' class general cargoships with Arklow's Cloud, Coast and Cove and all currently in service. 

All but one of the 10 'C' class were given ship names never previously used by vessels of the ASL fleet which was formed in 1966.

Following sea trials and delivery to ASL the Arklow Crest will be able to provide clients a maximized hold volume of 220.000 cft and a carrying capacity over 5,000 deadweight tons. This makes the almost 88m long vessel still fall under the 3,000 gross tons limit.

The single hold cargoship has an 1A iceclass notation and for propulsion, this is generated from a 1,740kW MaK engine and using a single ducted propeller.

A typical bread and butter cargo will be in the carriage of grain. 

Likewise of the C class series, Arklow Crest is registered at its east coast homeport and will represent the newest merchant ship of the Irish-flagged fleet.