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Arklow's Latest Newbuild 'Archer' Heads For the Sea

8th July 2020
Newbuilds pictorial: Arklow Archer, the latest of a new 'A' class series of bulk orientated dry-cargo vessels for the Irish owners Arklow Shipping. At the ship's launch the customary gathering of the public to view the spectacle was not an option due to Covid-19 health restrictions. Also depicted beneath is another newbuild the W' class Arklow Wood. Newbuilds pictorial: Arklow Archer, the latest of a new 'A' class series of bulk orientated dry-cargo vessels for the Irish owners Arklow Shipping. At the ship's launch the customary gathering of the public to view the spectacle was not an option due to Covid-19 health restrictions. Also depicted beneath is another newbuild the W' class Arklow Wood. Credit: Shipyard Ferus Smit-Instagram

Afloat has tracked the newest Arklow Shipping 'A' class newbuild cargoship Arklow Archer which is currently under tow on a canal from a Dutch inland shipyard to a North Sea port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The newbuild Arklow Archer is a bulk oriented general cargo ship which was christened and launched last month at Westerbroek, near Groningen, and is currently under tow by the Waterpoort on the Ems Canal which links Delfzijl.

The port is located on the Ems Estuary which flows into the North Sea from where previous sea-trails take place with ASL newbuilds based in Delfzijl.

Arklow Archer is the first to carry this 'A' name in the ASL fleet. In addition the new cargoship is the fourth of six newbuilds in the class ordered by ASL to the German shipyard company of Ferus Smit which has a second shipyard located in Leer.

Due to Covid-19 health restrictions, the routine public viewing of ship launches at the Dutch shipyard was not an option when Arklow Archer was launched on 12th June.

During that week Ferus Smit was kept busy with not only the launch of the Arklow Archer but also the delivery of a sister Arklow Ace and the 'W' class Arklow Wood. The shipyard managment expressed their gratitude for the work and efforts by the shipyard workers during these extraordinary times.

Arklow Archer is based from a slightly modified version of the first series of 8600dwt bulkers that Ferus Smit built under the name of Arklow B – series. The design is adapted for iceclass 1A, with modified bow form and propulsion with a propeller nozzle added.

Another modification is that the main engine output was decreased to 2000 kW to enable for better fuel efficiency.

Likewise of the other 'A' class ships, the newbuild is registered at the shipowner's Co. Wicklow port and is Irish flagged. 

Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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