#ShipRudder- A German-owned containership Arslan II (1991/3,125grt) that is understood to have got into difficulties due to rudder problems along Arklow Bank in mid-January, currently remains in a Dublin dry-dock, writes Jehan Ashmore.

An initial tow of the Arslan II was carried out by a tug to Dublin Bay from where a Dublin Port Company tug Shackleton joined to assist towing the 260TEU container capacity vessel to the Coal Quay. Arsalan II was subsequently moved into the No.2 dry-dock facility of Dublin Graving Docks Ltd.

Arslan II was a familiar trader in the Irish Sea for more than two decades and moreso under her previous name of Coastal Isle until November 2013. She had operated Peel Ports Group subsidiary Coastal Container Line services that included the Dublin (MTL Terminal)–Liverpool route.

Last summer the Peel Ports Group carried out restructuring of operations that saw Coastal Container Line merged into BG Freight Line's Irish Sea and short-sea continental route network.

A sister, Coastal Deniz as previously reported on Afloat.ie continues to run for Peel Port Group's 'green' inland waterway shuttle service between Liverpool (Seaforth Container Terminal) and Manchester (Irlam Container Terminal) using the 58km/36-mile long Manchester Ship Canal.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Shipping Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Container Market: Sustainability on the horizon - The container market is forecast to become more sustainable in the coming years as supply and demand continue to rebalance, however pressure on shipping lines is not expected to relent. Shipbrokers Braemar Seascope expect annual demand growth in the market to reach 4-5% for the next three years,marking a more positive outlook than earlier forecasts of 3% in 2013.

Dry Bulk Market: Change of focus for leading indicator of dry bulk market health? The direction of Chinese economic policy is being touted as the main leading indicator for determining the health of the dry bulk market, according to Hellenic Shipping News. Traditionally, iron ore demand and production figures have been used by analysts as the leading indicator for the dry bulk market, with the movement of iron ore, used in steel production, seen as leading determinant of dry bulk rates.

Tanker Market: Ardmore to raise further $75 million Cork-based tanker owner, Ardmore Shipping, announced plans last week to further finance its newbuilding activities through a share offer of $75 million, according to TradeWinds. The company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will sell 4.6 million shares (with a further 700,000 as an option for underwriters) at a maximum price of $13.97 each.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the downloadable PDF IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 7). In addition to coverage on Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping News section.

#ArklowNewbuilds – Arklow Bank is to be followed by the second of six new 'B'class 4,800 deadweight tons multi-purpose cargoships, with Arklow Bay to be launched early next month, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported, the newbuilds are on order from Arklow Shipping Ltd at Ferus Smit's Dutch based shipyard in Westerbroek from where the 119m long leadship Arklow Bank was launched last month.

Her typical 'Arklow' green hull shade and that of her sisters will be even more 'green' in that the hull characteristics and innovative 'bulbless' bow shape brings this design a number of 'environmental' advantages.

The B class have longer and sharper waterlines that create less resistance, irrespective of her loading draft. At the same time this shape creates more deadweight and cargo volume within her absolute dimensions. Above the waterline the more slender form will cut gradually through waves, improving performance in rough conditions.

Arklow Bay has a two-hold grain capacity of 9902,6m³ and for bale of 349.706ft³ . Wheat, corn and other bulk-cargo commodities will form as regular shipments for these vessels while operating in north-western European waters. Powerplant is provided by a Mak engine delivering a maximum 13 knots.

The newbuild is due to be delivered to ASL's Dutch based division, Arklow Shipping Netherland B.V. in April.

#ArklowNewbuilds - Arklow Shipping's latest newbuilds are a general cargoship and bulk-carrier completed from Dutch and South Korean shipyards respectively and together they raise the fleet total to some 44 vessels, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arklow Bank is understood to be the first of six 'B' class general cargoships ordered by ASL and was completed by Ferus Smit B.V. of Westerbroek in the Netherlands.

Notably, her design differs compared to her older counterparts in that she has a larger tonnage of 5,065 tonnes, an additional superstructure deck and hull design particularly the 'straight' stemmed and bulb-less bow.

This new hull form will give these new 'B' class vessels greater 'green' advantages as the longer and sharper waterlines reduce wave resistance even in rougher conditions, thus lessening impact irrespective of loading draft as deadweight of 4,800 tonnes allows to maximise cargo volume. The 119m long ship which is classed with Bureau Veritas has a two-hold grain capacity of 9902,6m³ and for bale of 349.706ft³ . Powerplant is a Mak engine delivering a maximum 13 knots.

She will join the company's Dutch division, Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V. based in Rotterdam, from where the newbuild takes that port of registry. This Dutch fleet forms a minority within the overall fleet that flies the Irish tricolour and registered aptly in the homeport and headquarters of the company located on the banks of the River Avoca.

Adding to the Arklow based fleet is the second newbuild, Arklow Spray which is a 'S' class 34,500 dwt tonnes bulk-carrier completed by Daesun Shipbuilding & Engineering of South Korea. Likewise this newbuild is also classed under Bureau Veritas.

Principle dimensions of the 22,868 gross tonnage Arklow Spray are length 182m, beam 30m and a draft of 10m. She easily surpasses both the companies 'W' and 'M' class of bulkers (see Arklow Mill as previously reported) in terms of overall dimensions.

Arklow Spray is the second of this new design following lead ship, Arklow Spirit which entered service last year. The pair each has five holds handling a grain capacity of almost 47,000m³ and for bale just shy of 45,000m³. Cargo-handling is served by 4 x 30t MacGregor Electric cranes. A main MAN engine plant delivers a maximum speed of about 14 knots based on a cargo-laden capacity.

The newbuild sisters continue to inherent the 'S' class vessel naming theme of a previous generation of much smaller Dutch built bulkers. Arklow Spirit became the last member of these ships to be sold off in recent years.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Shipping Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Container Market: Growing global container exports -Global container exports increased 5.3% year-on-year in December according to Container Trade Statistics' latest release as the global container market witnessed accelerated pace in global output. December's global exports increased 6.19% to 11,119,200 TEU from November, increasing for eight consecutive months by year-on-year comparison.

Market-Wide: Reuters forecast strong recovery in 2014 Reuters believe the shipping industry has turned a corner and that in 2014 it will emerge from its longest downturn in three decades, after prolonged overcapacity has depressed freight rates. They forecast that dry bulk vessels are likely to see the strongest recovery, as cargo growth overtakes supply of new tonnage for the first time in seven years.

Technology: Maersk's new air-cleaning reefer technology Maersk Container Industry (MCI) has partnered with technology firm Primaira to develop an air cleaning system in integrated refrigerated containers. Bluezone, the patented technology, has been shown to be an efficient eliminator of moulds, fungi and bacteria in thorough tests and trials by using an ozone concentration 300 times higher than otherwise in common usage.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the downloadable PDF IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 6). In addition to coverage on Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping News section.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the European Union is making great efforts to shift freight movements away from land transportation to sea.

Entries are now open for the European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) sixth annual Awards on Societal Integration of Ports.

Ardmore Shipping Corporation has signed a commitment letter for a new $172 million credit facility with several banking institutions to assist partly funding the cost of newbuilds (Eco-class tankers) currently on order

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Shipping Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Innovation: "Sails" tested for energy-efficient cargo shipping - A new wind-power project which would see cargo ships using sails to aid in propulsion could cut fuel costs by 30% and revolutionize maritime shipping, according to newspaper Asahi. The project, run by stakeholders from the private sector and academia, aims to develop a next-generation cargo ship with fiber-reinforced plastic sails to aid propulsion. Research group leader, Kazuyuki Ouchi said "The plan is to use the wind that had been a barrier to navigation until now as an energy source and to turn it into a power that can change the concept of ships."

Dry Bulk Market: Bulk rates slump in January- The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a measure of the cost of transporting raw materials such as metals, grains and fossil fuels by sea, fell 13% last week, adding to the general decline in the market which has seen the index fall 48% since the start of the New Year.

Fuel: Alternative fuels for shipping explored - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is expected to become the main alternative fuel for shipping in the short-term, but hybrid propulsion solutions which include batteries or other energy storage technologies will provide significant alternatives over time according to research by DNV GL.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the downloadable PDF IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 5). In addition to coverage on Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping News section.

#Ardmore – Ardmore Shipping Corporation has recently announced that it has signed a commitment letter for a new $172 million credit facility with ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Nordea Bank Finland Plc, and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB).

The company which has its financial headquarters based in Mahon, Co. Cork, are to use the proceeds from the new facility which are expected to finance up to 65% of the purchase price of eight vessels on order from the company's current fleet.

The facility will be an amortizing senior term loan and available for borrowing until April 2016 with a final maturity date in January 2021. The covenants and other conditions are consistent with those of the Company's existing credit facilities. The terms include an accordion option whereby, subject to lenders approval, Ardmore may request to increase the facility to finance the acquisition of additional vessels.

Anthony Gurnee, Ardmore's CEO commented: "We appreciate the support of these leading banks and are pleased to have secured this financing commitment to fund the expansion of our modern fleet of product and chemical tankers. With this commitment, we will have successfully financed the majority of the vessels on order in our current fleet well ahead of their deliveries scheduled for late 2014 and 2015. We are also delighted to further expand the relationship with ABN AMRO and welcome Nordea and SEB to the Ardmore banking team. We look forward to working with them on this and future transactions".

"Additionally, we are in advanced discussions with a number of leading shipping banks on credit facilities related to our remaining two vessels on order and the Ardmore Seamariner and expect to finalize those agreements in the near term. At that time, we believe Ardmore will have secured debt financing for its entire current fleet, including all vessels in operation and all vessels on order."

#Shortsea – SeatradeGlobal reports that the European Union is making great efforts to shift freight movements away from land transportation to sea.

Greece's shortsea shipping sector is promoting an ambitious plan to connect shortsea shipping with river transport within, and outside, the EU.

The powerful Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA) has called on the Greek EU presidency to back a new action plan – Naiades II – mapped out by the European Commission to strengthen inland waterways with the aim to improve the operational, economic and environmental performance of the sector.

In Europe, shortsea shipping is at the forefront of transportation policy. It currently accounts for roughly 40% of all freight moved in Europe and the aim is to increase this. For much more on this story follow this link.

#ESPOawards - The ESPO Award on Societal Integration of Ports this year is entering its sixth edition.

For the 2014 competition, the theme 'Innovative environmental projects' was chosen. The call for proposals is now open.

ESPO will be addressing innovative port projects that lead to environmental improvement for the benefit of the wider port and local community.

Reducing the environmental impact of port operations and improving the local environmental conditions for the people working and living around the port are key success factors for the societal integration of ports.

In fact, ports grant and maintain their license to operate and to grow from their local communities.

Therefore, through the award, ESPO hopes to identify and promote innovative projects set up by ports that address the typical port-city concerns in the environmental field such as local air pollution, water pollution, noise, dust, odours.

"We warmly encourage our members to participate in this year's competition", says ESPO Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost, "Potential winners this year are those port authorities that go beyond what is requested from them in terms of environmental management.

We are looking for ports which take innovative actions to improve literally the local environment and succeed as such to respond to the concerns of their local community.

As usual, all projects submitted will be promoted, so every participant is to some extent a winner ".
The award was established in 2009 to promote innovative projects of port authorities that improve societal integration of ports, especially with the city or wider community in which they are located.

In this way, the award wants to stimulate the sustainable development of European ports and their cities. The previous winners were: the Port of Gijón (2009), the Port of Helsinki (2010), the Ports of Stockholm (2011), the Port of Genoa (2012) and the Port of Antwerp (2013).

The call for proposals is open. Project submissions must be received by the ESPO secretariat by 1 July at the latest.

The sixth ESPO Award will be officially handed out during ESPO's Award Ceremony and Port Night taking place on 4 November in Brussels.