Newbuild Arklow Grace, the fourth of Arklow Shipping's G-class cargo ship's launched in the Netherlands, took place on the same day when another vessel for the Irish shipowner also first took to the water, writes Jehan Ashmore.

At the shipyard of Ferus Smit is where Arklow Grace of 5,150dwt at the Westerbroek yard on Friday, was launched as the penultimate newbuild of 5 ships to serve Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V.

Likewise of the series so far completed, Arkow Grace will be registered in Rotterdam.

To the east of the shipyard near Groningen, just several kilometres along the Winschoterdiep Canal, is rival Royal Bodewes which Afloat reported the launch of Arklow Resolve in Hoogezand. This newbuild is the fifth of seven Eco-Trader/R-class cargo-ships, each of 6,800dwt on order to Arklow Shipping Ltd, Co. Wicklow.

As for Ferus Smit built Arklow Grace, there is a maximized hold volume of 220.000 cublic feet (cft) carried in a single hold within a 84m length overall (LOA) hull. Propulsion is generated from a 1,600 kW MaK engine driving a single-ducted propeller which is to deliver 10 knots.

The previous trio of the G class are Arklow’s Gem, Glen and Globe, the latter cargo ship launched in October, are also equipped with an electric bow-thruster of 275kW to assist berthing.

When Arklow Grace is delivered, the newbuild will join the vessels of the Dutch division fleet and increase the total to twenty vessels.