This year’s April Fools’ Day was no joke for the Dutch shipbuilders at Royal Bodewes Hoogezand shipyard, situated on the outskirts of Groningen, as they seized the day to launch Arklow Shipping’s newbuild, the Arklow Valiant.

However, the ship did splash the surrounded spectators as it slipped into the water at the yard marking its official launching.

The Arklow Valiant is the third ship in a series of ten 5,100 dwt vessels built at the Dutch shipyard for the Dutch division of Arklow Shipping that is based in Rotterdam.

At almost 87 m in hull length overall and with its gross tonnage of 2,999 t, the ship belongs to Royal Bodewes’ Eco-Traders, designed to save fuel costs. The Arklow Valiant has a unique bow design, what makes it different from the other ships belonging to the same series.

The first of the three cargoships, the Arklow Vale, was built in 2015. The Arklow View, the second ship of the batch, was launched in December 2015.

World Maritime News Staff; Video Courtesy: Shiffs Canal