#IrelandMax - Containerships currently under construction in China of the 'Ireland' Max class for BG Freight Line, a subsidiary of the Peel Ports Group in the UK are due to enter service next year, writes Jehan Ashmore.

BG Diamond is the first of a quartet of named ships as identified by Afloat earlier this year that is to operate on their short-sea hub feeder services linking Ireland, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Newbuild BG Diamond will along with sisterships be hired under long-term charter to the Dutch owned subsidiary. The other sisterships each with a 1004TEU capacity are the BG Emerald, BG Sapphire and BG Jade which was only christened last month at the Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard.

As previously reported a new weekly container service between Liverpool and Cork has begun and this marked the first time the two ports have been connected directly through lo-lo operations. At the end of the each week, the current containerships on this route also offer services between Belfast, Greenock and Liverpool.

At the time of the route's announcement the ships to operate the service were Thea II (see TV presenter Paxman's Boxboat) along with RMS Veritas. However, from 2018, BG Freight will take delivery of the 'Ireland' Max quartet containerships on the short-sea feeder services of the company’s Irish Sea hub operations. 

Each newbuild of around 11,000 gross tonnage will have 'green' credentials and built to DNV GL standards and will be fitted with state-of-the-art features in order to comply with Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements. In addition to adhereing to BG Freight Line’s navigation and trading needs.

'Ireland' Max class containerships have been developed by BG Freight Line, in conjunction with designers CIMC ORIC and Arkon Shipping. 

Basic specifications of the new 'Ireland' Max containerships:

Containers: 1004 TEU (alternative 488 units 45ft)
Deadweight: 13,250 tonnes (on 8.0m draft)
Length overall: 153m
Reefer plugs: 253
Service Speed: 16 knots
Exhaust cleaning by WET-scrubber