Arklow Willow became the third 'W' class 16,500dwt newbuild in a series of four following a launch in a German shipyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Irish flagged bulker was launched earlier this month and the almost 150m long ship is expected to be delivered in October to Arklow Shipping Ltd.

ASL have a fleetlist totalling 55 vessels currently in operation. A further examination by Afloat.ie reveals that of these ships trading, 37 vessels are Irish flagged, easily dominenting the Irish Register of Ships. As for the balance, 18 ships belong to the Dutch based division, Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V.

As part of the Irish flagged fleet is leadship of the new 'W' class, Arklow Wave which was launched just over a year ago at the same yard in Leer, while second sister Arklow Wave took to the water for the first time in March this year. 

At 16,500dwt, Arklow Willow is an enlarged version of the 8,500dwt ships that Ferus-Smit delivered to ASL in previous years. The newbuild bulker has two box shaped holds with a cargo capacity of 700,000cft hold volume.

In terms of powerplant, the newbuild is equipped with a 3840kW main engine (as also listd below) in order to achieve low fuel consumption.

The design features:
– Main dimensions (Loa X B X T) 149.50 X 19.25 X 8.59 mtr.
– 16500 DWT, 700.000 cft hold volume.
– Iceclass 1A with 3840kW main engine.
– 2 box shaped holds.
– Propeller equipped with a duct for enhanced thrust at lower speeds and reduction of maximum installed propulsion power.

Afloat today tracked the first pair of the quartet which are currently trading in western European waters.

Arklow Wave had called to the Spanish territory of Ceuta in north Africa and is bound for Oslo, Norway. As for Arklow Wind, there is an Irish connection as the bulker had departed Aughinish Alumina refinery in Shannon Estuary and arrived in Dunkirk, France in the early hours of this morning.