AAL Shipping (AAL) is preparing to take delivery of the second vessel in its Super B-Class newbuilding series, the ‘AAL Hamburg’, following a formal naming ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The vessel will soon embark on its maiden voyage to Europe.
Naming Ceremony and Maiden Voyage
On July 12th, 2024, the AAL Hamburg was officially named, honoring the historic German port city that serves as a strategic hub for AAL’s European operations. Representatives from AAL Shipping, Columbia Shipmanagement, Schoeller Holdings, and CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding attended the ceremony. The 32,000 dwt, dual-fuel multipurpose heavy lift vessel is now set to begin its busy maiden voyage to Europe.
Advanced Features and Capabilities
The AAL Hamburg is equipped with three heavy lift port side cranes, each with a 350-tonne capacity and a maximum lift of 700 tonnes. Additionally, the vessel features the innovative ‘AAL ECO-DECK’, a retractable weather-deck system that increases clear stowage space on deck to over 5,200 square meters. The vessel will join its sistership, AAL Limassol, the first in the series, operating on key routes from Asia to Europe, America, and Australia.
Cargo and Deployment
AAL Hamburg’s maiden voyage will transport a diverse mix of project cargo, including ducts, panels, boiler parts, transformers, accessories, and four barges weighing approximately 5,600 tonnes in total. The ECO-DECK will be utilized to accommodate this varied cargo load.
Strategic Vision and Environmental Commitment
Christophe Grammare, Managing Director of AAL, stated, “The delivery of AAL Hamburg and the success of AAL Limassol’s record-setting maiden voyage reflect our long-term strategy to maintain a highly capable fleet that serves the diverse cargo types and industries of our customers. Our parent company, Schoeller Holdings, has a nearly half a century history in the shipping industry and remains committed to investing in a modern fleet that meets future environmental and regulatory standards.”
Future Expansions
The Super B-Class new buildings from AAL will include eight vessels, with the recent order of two additional ships in May. The upcoming vessels, AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai will feature an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes. The remaining vessels in the series will be delivered between now and 2026. The introduction of the AAL Hamburg and the continued success of the Super B-Class fleet signify a new level of capability for AAL. The variety of cargo handled and the advanced features of these vessels position AAL to meet the evolving demands of the shipping industry while adhering to stringent environmental standards.
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Source: AAL Shipping
