- AAL Limassol, the first of AAL Shipping’s six mega-size 32,000 dwt ‘Super B-Class’ vessels, was successfully launched at the CSSC Huangpu WenChong Shipyard in late December 2023.
- The vessel is dual fuel compatible and methanol-ready, incorporating cutting-edge technologies, including the ‘AAL Extendable Eco-Deck System’ and a 700-tonne maximum tandem lift capacity.
- With approximately three-quarters of the construction completed, AAL Limassol is set for sea trials in April 2024, testing its performance, fuel efficiency, and maneuvering characteristics before delivery in May 2024.
The first next-generation methanol-ready multipurpose vessel being built in China for Singapore-based shipping company AAL Shipping has been launched, reports Offshore Energy.
AAL Limassol
In late December 2023, AAL Limassol was floated out into the water from a dry dock and moved to the pier at the CSSC Huangpu WenChong Shipyard.
AAL Limassol is the first of the company’s six new mega-size 32,000 dwt ‘Super B-Class’ heavy lift vessels which will be dual fuel compatible and methanol ready.
This milestone marks the third of four crucial stages in the ship’s construction before delivery and even the most important (the stages comprising steel cutting, keel laying, launching, and finally sea trial).
“With all major equipment installed on board, launching provides the perfect test of a new build’s water integrity and stability. Once completed, engine shafting, hatch covers, pontoons and even cranes are finally adjusted. This is primarily because the hull structure of the vessel flexes into a shape that is closer to its normal operating mode and, with “digital manufacturing”, the results are extremely good. Within the required engineering tolerance levels,” Yahaya Sanusi, Deputy Head of AAL’s Transport Engineering Department explained.
“By this stage, approximately three-quarters of the work onboard has already been completed and many of the additional work packages can be built simultaneously and later assembled on board. The AAL LIMASSOL will go for sea trial in April 2024 before her delivery to AAL in May – so she will have been on the water for over five months.“
“In general, any work that can be done before launching is a benefit, as after this stage access is harder and jobs take longer. At the yard where the six Super B-Class vessels are being built, it typically takes about 60 days after launching to prepare a standard container vessel for sea trial,” Rangel Vassilev, Director of Newbuilding Projects at AAL’s sister company, Columbia Shipmanagement, said.
“However, the SUPER-B class is a much more complicated build. Its hatch covers, tween decks, three heavy lift cranes – featuring a 700-tonne maximum tandem lift capacity – and the all-new ‘AAL Extendable Eco-Deck System’ must all be in place and tested during this stage and honed before sea trial. The AAL Limassol is also the first of her fleet, so we anticipate her equipment commissioning and mooring trials to take over 120 days.”
“Our next step is to undertake mooring trials of the AAL LIMASSOL’s machinery and cargo handling equipment and prepare her for the final sea-trial stage. At that point, speed, fuel consumption, and other maneuvering characteristics will all be tested. For a naval architect this is critical as it will demonstrate how well the vessel performs and responds in water – especially as up to this point performance has been calculated in tank tests and using theoretical algorithms,” Sanusi added.
The Super B-Class
The Super B-Class design was a collaboration between AAL’s engineering and commercial teams and sister company, Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM).
Overall, according to the company, the Super B-Class will meet the highest possible automation and emission standards, as well as comply with IMO regulations on emissions and sustainability for environmental protection. The vessels are dual fuel and methanol ready and run on MAN main engines of 7,380 kW – supported by 2 x 1,700 kW and 1 x 1,065 kW auxiliary diesel generators. They are NOx Tier III compatible with HPSCR, EEDI phase 3 compliancy, featuring a projected service speed of 14.5 knots. They will also feature modern ballast water treatment systems and innovative hull coating that delivers greater fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.
Each unit can accommodate over 42,000 cbm of cargo big and small on a single sailing. The significant clear weather deck space of 146 x 26 meters will feature a retractable deck extension system – the ‘AAL ECO-DECK’ designed by AAL’s engineering team – that can increase stowage space even further.
The remaining ships from the Super B-Class batch will be named after major breakbulk ports — AAL Antwerp, AAL Hamburg, AAL Houston, AAL Dubai, and AAL Dammam.
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Source: Offshore Energy
