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New Super B Class vessel enters service
AAL Shipping has officially named its latest Super B Class heavy lift vessel, AAL Mumbai, at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, adding another ship to its growing multipurpose fleet as demand for project cargo capacity continues to rise in India.
The 32,000 dwt vessel increases AAL’s Super B Class fleet to eight ships, with two more vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028. The newbuild has a maximum lifting capacity of 800 tonnes and is designed to transport heavy lift, breakbulk and general cargoes on the same voyage.
Named after India’s commercial and maritime hub of Mumbai, the vessel reflects the carrier’s expanding focus on the Indian market, where infrastructure, offshore wind and energy projects are driving demand for specialised transport capacity.
Marc Willim, Global Head of Chartering at AAL Shipping, said the vessel strengthens the company’s ability to support Indian customers with flexible heavy lift services while reinforcing India’s growing role in global project cargo demand.
Higher lifting capacity and deck flexibility
The vessel follows the delivery of sister ship AAL Newcastle and introduces several technical upgrades aimed at improving cargo handling efficiency.
Individual crane capacity has increased from 350 tonnes to 400 tonnes, allowing combined lifts of up to 800 tonnes. Design refinements also improve deck strength and cargo intake flexibility for oversized and lengthy project components.
For project forwarders, the changes could reduce handling complexity during port operations. Moving large wind components or industrial modules is often compared to solving a puzzle in motion, where every tonne and every centimetre of deck space matters.
AAL said the vessel will support mixed cargo operations by combining project cargoes with breakbulk and general cargo shipments within a single sailing.
Earlier this year, the carrier confirmed orders for two additional Super B Class vessels as part of its fleet renewal and expansion strategy focused on fuel efficient multipurpose tonnage.
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