The fifth and final of the 5,150dwt class, Arklow Guard, was launched at Ferus Smit’s Dutch inland shipyard in Westerbroek, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Its launch on Friday saw the single-hold cargo ship take to the waters transversely into the adjacent canal, the Winschoterdiep, which, along with a canal network, connects the Ems Estuary, leading to the North Sea.
Arklow Guard marks the completion of the short-sea general cargo traders to serve Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V., based in Rotterdam. The port is where the newbuild is registered.
The shipyard near Groningen launched the leadship of the (G) class ship named Arklow Gem just over a year ago on 6 April, which is 87.4m long overall and has a gross tons of 2,999.
Following the G-class leadship, they are Arklow’s Glen, Globe, and Grace, built in January this year.
With a maximized hold volume of 220.000 cft, Arklow Guard has a carrying capacity of over 5000 deadweight tons, but it still falls under the 3000 gross tons limit.
A 1,600 kW MaK engine propels a single ducted propeller, giving a service speed of 10 knots.
Ferus Smit has a workforce of 200 people at its shipyard sites, Westerbroek along with offices, and at Leer, Germany, and between them, 6 to 8 newbuild vessels are built annually.