Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes has launched an Eco-Trader 6,800 dwat newbuild for Arklow Shipping with the general cargo vessel taking to the water, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arklow Rambler with a length overall (LOA) of 104.93m was launched yesterday into the Winschoterdiep Canal with the shipyard's routine transverse launch off the stocks. In attendence were two tugs to handle the mooring lines fore and aft of the newbuilding having entered the confines of the waterway. 

The Rambler represents the third of the 6,800 deadweight ton dry-bulk cargoships for the Co. Wicklow shipowner which placed an order with Royal Bodewes for seven such ships.

The shipbuilder with more than 100 workers is located in Hoogezand which lies to the east of the city of Groningen.

Leadship Eco-Trader, Arklow Racer was delivered to ASL in February when Afloat tracked an early voyage to Spain. As for the second of the series completed, Arklow Rally made its maiden commercial voyage recently across the North Sea.

The Eco-Traders have two cargo-holds where separation involves two portable bulkheads along with pontoon type hatch covers. For added maneuverability in port the 4,125 gross tonnage newbuild is equipped with an electric bow thruster of 300kW.

Arklow Rambler revives the name of a previous cargoship built in 2002 which was registered with Dutch shipping company, Hanno Shipping B.V. In the same year, the operator was renamed Arklow Shipping Nederland N.V. having been purchased in 1999 with management retained. Such operations involving Dutch-flagged cargoships continue in an office located in Hoofdweg, Rotterdam.

The third Eco-Trader however is part of the Arklow Shipping's larger Irish flagged fleet with Arklow as a port of registry and where the shipowner's head office was in recent months relocated from the banks of the Avoca to a new landmark address at North Beach.

The east coast shipowner at its new location can also look forward to the next Eco-Trader as the fourth newbuild will mark the mid-way stage of the seven-ship series. 

The second of seven newbuild cargo ships for Arklow Shipping has been delivered from Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes to the Irish shipowner, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arklow Rally of the Eco-Trader 6,800 dwat class follows the leadship Arklow Racer which was delivered in February.

The newbuilds were built at Bodewes shipyard in Hoogezand located to the east of Groningen.

The handover of Arklow Rally took place on Monday and the addition of the dry-bulk vessel is part of a continued progression of modern tonnage. At this stage the green-hulled fleet now totals 55 cargo ships.

On Monday evening the newbuild departed on its maiden commercial voyage. This involved a passage across the North Sea to Teesport in north-east England, to where Afloat tracked the arrival of the Irish-flagged newbuild this morning.

Sea trials of the 104m general cargoship had previously taken place in the North Sea with the newbuild based out of Emshaven. The port on the Ems Estuary is also where the Dutch-German border is located.