Methanol-ready AAL Limassol wraps up maiden voyage

AAL Limassol, the first next-generation methanol-ready multipurpose vessel owned by Singapore-based shipping company AAL Shipping, has completed its maiden voyage to Europe.

Arriving in Cuxhaven, Germany, the 32,000 dwt Super B-Class newbuild delivered over 89,000 freight tons of multipurpose cargo on a single sailing – said to be a record cargo intake for the carrier.

“The delivery and maiden voyage of the AAL Limassol has been a highlight of the year for AAL,” Christophe Grammare, Managing Director at AAL Shipping, commented.

“The Super B-Class vessels are everything we have been hoping for and more. The ‘AAL Hamburg’ is now also in service, and the ‘AAL Houston’ will shortly follow – with another five of these vessels to also join the roster – further reinforcing our fleet of highly capable multipurpose heavy lift tonnage.”

To remind, the AAL Limassol was launched in China in January this year. The newbuild was delivered to AAL Shipping at a naming ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou in April 2024.

Shortly thereafter, the ship began its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe, for which a wide variety of heavy lift and project cargo had been booked. Its last call in Asia saw the vessel stop at the Indian Port of Tuticorin.

Once the cargoes were secured, AAL Limassol departed Tuticorin on course for Europe, transiting around the Cape of Good Hope and the English Channel to Klaipeda – its first European port of call – to discharge the wind turbine blades. AAL Limassol then continued its journey to deliver the remaining heavy cargoes in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Cuxhaven.

“The highest volume carried on our A-Class fleet to date has been approximately 64,000 freight tons. AAL Limassol’s maiden voyage already set a record of more than 89,000 freight tons – roughly 40 percent more cargo volume in a single voyage,” Valentin Gherciu, Head of Operations at AAL Shipping, said.

The Super B-Class

Overall, the Super B-Class aims to meet ‘the highest possible’ automation and emission standards, as well as comply with IMO regulations on emissions and sustainability for environmental protection.

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.

The newbuilds also feature ‘modern’ ballast water treatment systems and hull coating that delivers greater fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Each unit can accommodate over 42,000 cbm of cargo big and small on a single sailing.

The clear weather deck space of 146 x 26 meters features a retractable deck extension system – the ‘AAL ECO-DECK’ designed by AAL’s engineering team – that can increase stowage space even further.

A month ago, the second ship in the class — AAL Hamburg — was named in Guangzhou. The newbuild will join AAL Limassol trading on key routes from Asia to Europe, America and Australia.

The remaining ships from the Super B-Class batch will be named after major breakbulk ports — AAL Antwerp, AAL Houston, AAL Dubai and AAL Dammam.