Multipurpose carrier AAL Shipping has taken delivery of the second Super B-class newbuilding, AAL Hamburg.
Ahead of the ship’s maiden voyage to Europe, the formal naming ceremony took place at CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China on July 12 in the presence of representatives from AAL Shipping, Columbia Shipmanagement, Schoeller Holdings and CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding.
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 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 the sistership AAL Limassol – the first vessel in the series of eight newbuilds – 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.
AAL extended its newbuild order from six to eight vessels in May 2024. The two newest vessels on the 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 realising a new level of capability for AAL. AAL Hamburg’s maiden voyage is further reinforcing that sentiment and we are looking forward to welcoming the remaining vessels in the series over the next two years,” said Christophe Grammare managing director, AAL.
