#MaidenCall – Arklow Vale made her maiden call to Dublin Port yesterday, the newbuild is the leadship of 10 general cargoships of the Royal Bodewes 5,100dwt Trader Series built to the design of the Dutch yard, writes Jehan Ashmore.

At almost 87m in length overall, Arklow Vale features a distinctive fuel energy-saving designed bow as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The newbuild launched in September 2014, demonstrates the consistency of the company (50th anniversary this year) to operate with a modern fleet serving markets chiefly in northern Europe.

The leadship newbuild of 2,999grt had sailed from Gijon, northern Spain laden with slag. The cargo was discharged at Dublin Port alongside the South Bank Quay for the adjacent Ecocem plant.

Arklow Vale represents one of the largest single class orders in the history of the Co. Wicklow based shipping company yet the newbuilds are for the Dutch division Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. based in Rotterdam. The Bodewes Trader Series or ‘V’ class ship given the naming nomenclature will also apply to her sisters which too will be registered at this major port.

The total fleet including the majority of Irish flagged vessels are currently comprised mostly of the ‘R’ class in which 15 such ships were also built in The Nederlands at the yard of Bijlsma Lemmer. The leadship Arklow Rose dates from 2002 while the final sister, Arklow Raven was completed in 2007. 

Last night Arklow Vale departed the capital 'light' (without cargo) and made the short coastal passage to Drogheda Port to dock this morning having anchored overnight. Further north in Belfast Harbour is where she made her maiden call to that port last month.

The second BodewesTrader series, Arklow View also previously reported to be undergoing sea-trials and to be named at an official ceremony not at the inland yard at Hoogezand but at Delfzijl.

The entry of Arklow Vale brings the Arklow Shipping total to 45 ships. They range from the 'R' class of 4,933dwt to the largest 'S' class bulkers of 34,905dwt. Across these ships, they can transport a variety of cargoes, among them in the carriage of bulk grain trades, steel rails, minerals and containers.