Arklow Ranger following a christening ceremony at Royal Bodowes main shipyard in the Netherlands was launched yesterday having slide off the stocks into the water, writes Jehan Ashmore.

This is the 4th general cargo vessel out of the seven Eco-Trader 6,885 deadweight tonnes (dwt) series on order from Arklow Shipping Ltd.

The 104m Arklow Ranger was launched during the afternoon from the Royal Bodewes shipyard at Hoogazand near Groningen.

As for the other three completed newbuilds, leadship, Arklow Racer was delivered to ASL in February, followed by the series second ship, Arklow Rally which made its maiden sailing on the Summer solstice.

The newest Eco-Trader or ‘R’ class, Arklow Rambler last month departed the inland shipyard along the canal system while under tow to Delfzijl on the Ems estuary.

It is from the nearby port of Emshaven that this third newbuild has been carrying out ship-builders sea trials in the North Sea.