https://aalshipping.com/aal-reaches-half-way-mark-for-super-b-class-deliverieswith-its-fourth-vessel-aal-antwerp-ready-for-maiden-voyage/

AAL Shipping (AAL) has reached a significant milestone in its fleet expansion program with the formal naming of the ‘AAL Antwerp,’ the fourth vessel in its eight-strong, third-generation Super B-Class series. The ceremony, held on November 15 at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China, marked the halfway point in AAL’s ambitious initiative to enhance sustainable and high-capacity shipping solutions. This development comes as AAL prepares to celebrate its 30-year anniversary in 2025.

The ‘AAL Antwerp,’ a 32,000 dwt multipurpose heavy lift vessel, is designed for methanol readiness, reflecting AAL’s focus on eco-friendly operations. The vessel features a combined lifting capacity of 700 tonnes and the ability to transport over 90,000 freight tons of diverse cargo types, including heavy lift project equipment, breakbulk, and dry bulk.

The ship's advanced design enables efficient, multipurpose cargo handling, underscoring AAL’s expertise in delivering optimized economies of scale to its clients. Following the naming ceremony, attended by industry dignitaries, the vessel embarked on its maiden voyage, joining sister ships in servicing key trade routes across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. This latest addition reaffirms AAL’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the multipurpose shipping sector.

AAL Shipping (AAL) is poised to take delivery of the second vessel in its Super B-Class newbuilding series, the ‘AAL Hamburg,’ following a formal naming ceremony held at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The vessel, named after the historic German port city that serves as a strategic hub for AAL’s European operations, will embark on its maiden voyage to Europe.

The naming ceremony on July 12, 2024, was attended by representatives from AAL Shipping, Columbia Shipmanagement, Schoeller Holdings, and CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding. The ‘AAL Hamburg’ is a 32,000 dwt, dual-fuel multipurpose heavy lift vessel equipped with three heavy lift port side cranes, each with a capacity of 350 tonnes and a maximum lift of 700 tonnes. It also features the latest innovation from AAL’s Engineering Team, the ‘AAL ECO-DECK,’ a retractable weather-deck system that increases clear stowage space on deck to over 5,200 square meters.

The ‘AAL Hamburg’ will join its sister ship, the ‘AAL Limassol,’ the first vessel in the series, and will operate on key routes from Asia to Europe, America, and Australia. Its maiden voyage will transport a mix of project cargo, including ducts and panels, boiler parts, transformers, accessories, and four barges weighing approximately 5,600 tonnes in total, utilizing the ECO-DECK. AAL’s third-generation newbuildings will see a total of eight Super B-Class vessels join the fleet, following the order of two additional vessels in May. The latest vessels, ‘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 by 2026.