AAL names second methanol-ready Super B-Class vessel

Singapore-based shipping company AAL Shipping (AAL) is about to take delivery of the second methanol-ready dual-fuel multipurpose vessel following the naming ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

AAL Hamburg is the second of the company’s eight 32,000 dwt Super B-Class newbuilds.

The 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’, a retractable deck extension system. 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 square meters.

AAL Hamburg will soon join its sistership AAL Limassol – the first vessel in the series – trading on key routes from Asia to Europe, America and Australia.

“With a long history of almost half a century in the shipping industry, our parent company Schoeller Holdings has been committed to investing in a modern fleet of vessels for AAL, and most importantly ensuring that our new vessels take us into the future in an environmentally friendly manner and in full compliance with all current and upcoming international regulations,” Christophe Grammare, AAL Managing Director, commented.

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 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.

Overall, 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, according to the company. 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.

“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,” Grammare concluded.