Arklow Gem became the newest cargoship for Irish shipowners when launched this morning at a Dutch shipyard where the public were also invited to view the event, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The leadship is the first of five 'G' class newbuilds for Arklow Shipping Ltd.

With a shipyard newbuild number (Nb. 454) Arklow Gem at 10.00hrs slid off the stocks at the Ferus Smit shipyard in Westerbroek.

This involved the newbuild make a launch transversely into the adjacent canal, the Winschoterdiep.

A cargo carrying capacity is over 5000 deadweight tons and the ship has a single hold that has a maximized volume of 220.000cft

A 1,600 kW MaK engine will propel the vessel that has a single ducted propeller.

As part of the routine ship building to delivery process, the Arklow Gem will be towed to Delfzijl. From there the newbuild will head into the Ems Estuary and head to Emshaven.

The port will act as a base to carry out shipbuilder seas trials on the North Sea before the Arklow Gem is handed over to the Irish shipowner.