AAL Shipping has proudly announced the ceremonial naming of AAL Hamburg, a 32,000 dwt dual-fuel multipurpose heavy-lift vessel, after Hamburg, the historic German port city and a pivotal hub for AAL’s European operations. The event, attended by key representatives from AAL Shipping, Columbia Shipmanagement, Schoeller Holdings, and CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding, signifies a major milestone in AAL’s strategic expansion of its fleet capabilities.
The 32,000 dwt dual-fuel multipurpose heavy-lift vessel is equipped with three heavy-lift port-side cranes (350 tonnes capacity each and 700 tonnes maximum lift), as well as the latest innovation from the AAL Engineering Team, the ‘AAL ECO-DECK’. To be fitted on all Super B-Class vessels, the retractable weather-deck system increases the clear stowage space on deck to over 5,200 sq m.
AAL Hamburg will soon join her sister ship AAL Limassol – the first vessel in the series – trading on key routes from Asia to Europe, America, and Australia. AAL Hamburg’s maiden voyage will see the vessel transport a mix of project cargo, including ducts and panels, boiler parts, transformers and accessories, as well as four barges weighing approximately 5,600 tonnes in total, for which the ECO-DECK will be deployed.
“The delivery of AAL Hamburg, as well as the success of AAL Limassol’s record-setting maiden voyage, represents the realization of a long-term strategy initiated several years ago to have a highly capable fleet suited to serve the variety of cargo types and industries that our customers represent,” said AAL Managing Director Christophe Grammare.
“With a shipping industry history spanning almost half a century, our parent company Schoeller Holdings has been committed to investing in a modern fleet of vessels for AAL, ensuring that our new vessels lead us into the future in an environmentally friendly manner and in full compliance with all current and upcoming international regulations.”
The third-generation newbuildings from AAL will see a total of eight Super B-Class vessels join the fleet, following the order of two additional vessels in May. The latest two vessels on order – AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai – will have an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes. The remaining vessels in the series will be delivered between now and 2026.
“We have seen, from AAL Limassol’s voyage – with a hugely varied cargo load of nearly 90,000 freight tons, including barges, modules, cranes, and wind turbines – that the Super B-Class fleet is already realizing a new level of capability for AAL. AAL Hamburg’s maiden voyage further reinforces that sentiment, and we look forward to welcoming the remaining vessels in the series over the next two years.”
About AAL Shipping
AAL Shipping (AAL) is a multiple award-winning breakbulk, project heavy lift, steel, and dry bulk commodity carrier that has delivered competitive solutions for the world’s most dynamic industry sectors since 1995, including oil & gas, mining, energy, construction, and agriculture. It ranks among the multipurpose shipping sector’s top five carriers by total fleet DWT and has built a reputation for dependability and going the extra mile for its customers.
AAL provides the market with seamless around-the-world connectivity, comprising scheduled monthly liner services operating between Europe, the Middle East, India, Asia, and Oceania, backed by an ever-increasing number of tramp chartering sailings covering the Americas and the rest of the world.
With 12 representative offices on four continents, AAL’s team comprises more than 25 different nationalities and speaks 35 languages, ensuring local 24/7 service in key trading hubs and support of major trade lanes globally.