The latest launch of a newbuild for Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. represents the third in a series of five cargo ships ordered by the shipowner, writes Jehan Ashmore.

With a shipyard newbuilding number of 456, the Arklow Globe was successfully launched last Friday morning from Ferus Smit at their shipyard in Westerbroek. At the stern, Rotterdam is the registered port along with the Dutch flag above while the ASL houseflag and that of the shipbuilder fluttered at the foremast in windy conditions.  

Relative to the weather, the public with umbrellas stood on the canal bank opposite of the shipyard in anticipation of the launch. Also awaiting were two tugs, fore and aft of the newbuild ready to take the strain from the mooring ropes after the cargo ship entered the water.

Arklow Globe has a maximized hold volume of 220.000 cft and a carrying capacity of 5,150 deadweight tons. Cargo is contained in single hold within a hull of around 84m length overall (LOA).

As for propulsion, power is from a 1600 kW MaK engine with a single ducted propeller from where a 10 knot speed is delivered. For manoeuvres within confined areas and berthing is where an electric bowthruster of 275kW will assist.

The newbuild follows in the wake of leadship, Arklow Gem launched in April whereas the second ship, Arklow Glen made a debut just two months later with a launch taking place on Bloomsday.

The inland shipyard near Groningen is where Arklow Globe was launched in close proximity to the next of the same series, as amidships sections lay on the quayside.

A Swedish shipping group which operates to Irish ports, has returned to a shipyard in The Netherlands to build more tankers and also dry-cargoships, writes Jehan Ashmore

Erik Thun AB which has a fleet of almost 50 vessels using four categories including tankers has placed an order for 8 newbuilds at Ferus Smit's Dutch yard.

The contract is for four 7,999 dwt coastal tankers with a Ice Class 1B design and four multi-purpose dry cargo vessels of 5,100 dwt.

The coastal tankers of 114m length overall (LOA) and a beam of 15.87 will add to the two previously ordered resource efficient ’R-class’ coastal tankers as Afloat reported last year.

The focus on this class with cargo tank capacity of about 9,540 m3, is to be the most resource efficient vessels within their trade and have a minimal environmental impact.

All the vessels will be built by Scheepswerf Ferus Smit BV in Westerbroek and delivery is scheduled for between 2024 and 2027.

The new orders according to the shipyard will maintain continuity during these challenging times.

The last day of April saw Arklow Artist, as the final 'A' series of six newbuilds to be launched at Ferus Smit's Dutch inland shipyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.

This newest cargoship constructed in Westerbroek, is the first to carry the name 'Artist' of these Irish flagged bulk orientated newbuilds ordered by Arklow Shipping.

Ferus Smit built the newbuild(NB# 442) to a design that is a slightly modified version of the first series of 8600dwt bulkers of the Arklow 'B' series, also launched from the same shipyard.

The new design is adapted for iceclass 1A, with a modified bow form while at the stern the propellor is fitted with a nozzle. The main engine output was decreased to 2000kw to enhance better fuel efficiency.

Likewise of the five completed 8,543dwt cargoships that began with leadship Arklow Abbey (2019), the newest vessel will be mainly employed in shipment of corn and wheat.

In addition the newbuild will be trading in bulk commodities throughout European waters.

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.

#NewBulkers- Shipbuilder Ferus Smit whose Dutch yard is according to Ships Monthly to continue constructing further newbuilds for Arklow Shipping.

The yard at Westerbroek has been given an order for a quartet of small handy-sized bulk-carriers of around 16,500dwt each. The first pair of vessels measuring 149.5m by 19.4m are to be delivered in 2018 and the second pair in 2019 respectively.

The order follows a series of ten 'C' class 5,200dwt general cargsoships in which Afloat has previously reported on those so far completed. The last launched been Arklow Castle.

Afloat also adds that the latest series are larger bulkers than the existing ‘W’ class of around 13,900dwt. At this stage though Arklow Wind only remains in service (see report) following sale of sisters to overseas owners.

The W class bulk-carriers dating to more than a decade ago totalled three. They were ASL’s first ships to be built at a yard outside in Europe. The order having gone to a Japanese shipyard.