AAL Shipping has recently added the AAL Dammam, its sixth Super-B heavy-lift vessel, to its fleet. The vessel was delivered from the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou and is set to start operations immediately, focusing on transporting renewable energy cargo from China to Europe.
The AAL Dammam has a deadweight tonnage of 32,000 DWT and is engineered to carry a diverse range of cargo, including heavy lift project components, breakbulk, and dry bulk. This methanol-ready and dual-fuel vessel measures 179.9 meters in length and 30 meters in breadth, with the capacity to handle over 100,000 freight tons (FRT) of breakbulk and heavy lift cargo. The ship is equipped with three 350 MT heavy lift cranes, which can be combined to achieve a maximum lifting capacity of 700 MT. Two large cargo holds are optimized for dry bulk, featuring adjustable pontoon triple decks and an absence of a center-line bulkhead, allowing for efficient loading and unloading.
AAL Shipping, part of the Schoeller Holdings Group, recognizes the strategic importance of this investment. CEO Kyriacos Panayides stated that despite the current geopolitical uncertainties, the long-term outlook for the global industrial sector remains robust. He cited a forecast from the International Energy Agency (IEA), predicting clean energy investments could reach $2.2 trillion by 2025.
Panayides highlighted that while renewable energy projects are leading the charge, AAL Shipping is not solely reliant on the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. The company anticipates ongoing demand across various energy and resource sectors. For instance, the oil and gas sector is projected to grow to $9.9 trillion by 2029, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects emerging as a key area, particularly with multiple export initiatives planned in the United States, Qatar, and Canada by 2026 to 2028. Additionally, the mining sector is robust, with over 5,400 mining projects valued at $406 billion expected to commence construction by the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, AAL Shipping plans to expand its Super B-Class fleet further. In 2026, the company will welcome two more vessels, AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai, which will feature an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 MT.
In a related development, Christophe Grammare, a prominent figure in AAL’s Australian operations, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Singapore-based company. This leadership change aligns with AAL’s strategic growth initiatives in the renewable energy transport sector.
