Singapore-based AAL Shipping has taken delivery of a new heavy lift vessel built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in China.
AAL Dammam is the sixth in a series of 32,000DWT heavy lift vessels ordered by AAL from the same builder. AAL Hamburg and AAL Limassol, the first two ships in the series, were handed over in 2024.
The series was designed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute in collaboration with AAL and Columbia Shipmanagement in compliance with DNV class rules.
The newbuild has an LOA of 179.9 metres, a moulded beam of 30 metres, a summer draught of 10.3 metres, a moulded depth of 15.5 metres, and a gross tonnage of 25,400. Cargo capacities are 41,500 cubic metres of dry cargo split between two holds and 1,910 TEUs including 35 reefer containers.
The holds also feature adjustable pontoon triple deck capabilities as required, to optimise cargo intake. With no centreline bulkhead, the holds are designed to accommodate dry bulk commodities and are optimised for stowage of IMDG code-compliant dangerous cargo.
Despite significant cargo intake volume and the 179.9-metre length, the hull design ensures a minimum draught of 6.5 metres to allow AAL to call far smaller and more remote ports.
AAL Dammam will soon depart China on her maiden voyage with offshore renewable energy cargo destined for the UK.