IRISH FLEET GAINS EUROPEAN-BUILT BULKERS

The recently delivered Arklow Wind followed the 2018-built first-of-class Arklow Wave from northern Dutch shipbuilder Ferus Smit’s yard at Leer, just over the border in Germany. Third and fourth sisterships are scheduled for completion later this year and in early 2020.

Only two Arklow vessels, a pair of handysize bulkers, are larger than the new W-type, with the owned and operated fleet predominantly composed of singledeckers in the 5,000-15,000dwt range.

The Arklow Wave series is derived from the 8,600dwt, 350,000ft3-capacity Arklow Bay type, of which six examples were completed by Ferus Smit for the Irish owner over the course of 2014 and 2015. On a 30m increase in length and 4m-wider beam, the latest design offers twice the underdeck cargo volume at 700,000ft3 in conjunction with nearly double the deadweight. Economy of scale is accentuated by a modest propulsive power installation of 3,840kW, achieving low fuel consumption.

An especially significant aspect of the project is its indication of west European competitiveness in bulker production, albeit in the smaller category.

The new tonnage has been brought to bear on industrial traffic in northern Europe, as illustrated by respective voyages of the Arklow Wave and Arklow Wind during the first half of June between the West of Ireland aluminium smelter at Aughinish and Dunkirk, and between Antwerp and Murmansk.

The two-hold configuration, comprising a 267,000ft3 No1 hold and larger, 430,000ft3 No2 hold, incorporates moveable bulkheads for increased cargo carrying flexibility. The box-like nature of the spaces and full-width hatchways facilitate rapid cargo working. Maximum load on the tank top is 20t/m2, enabling transportation of denser cargoes such as steel products and forestry goods. The specification to Finnish/Swedish ice class 1A standard enhances overall operational scope.

The main engine is an eight-cylinder M32C medium-speed diesel developed in Germany under Caterpillar’s MaK brand, delivering 3,840kW at maximum continuous output through a Keller reduction gearbox to a Berg controllable pitch propeller. The propeller is ducted for enhanced thrust at lower speeds and reduction of maximum propulsion power. To achieve regulatory compliance, the main engine is run on marine diesel oil(MDO) in sulphur Emission Control Area (ECA) zones.

KFW IPEX-Bank and DekaBank have together provided around EUR51 million (currently about US$57 million) to finance the four-ship programme, in support of German exports.

Family-controlled Arklow Shipping, run from offices in County Wicklow and Rotterdam, has extensive newbuild commitments with Ferus Smit, whose headquarter premises are the Westerbroek yard, east of Groningen on the Winschoterdiep inland waterway. During 2018, a total of 11 vessels were contracted by the company from the Dutch yard.

The tally entails six dry cargo ships of 9,000dwt and five of 5,150dwt, encompassing deliveries between the latter part of 2019 and 2023. In each case, the designs are continuations or derivations of previously-built series.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS – Arklow Wave class