Project heavy lift carrier, AAL Shipping (AAL), is picking up the pace with the construction of its third-generation heavy-lifters, which the company calls the Super B Class. The company has now cut the first steel for its fifth of six units, the AAL Dubai. 

The steel cutting for the AAL Dubai was held on December 12 at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

Available from 2024, these innovative third-generation heavy-lifters have been designed to be the most competent MPVs in the water, according to AAL.

The vessels can accommodate over 42,000 cbm of cargo, with three 350 mt heavy lift cranes – combinable to a 700 mt max. lift. They feature 3,880 square metres of clear weather deck space, with extendable pontoons on the starboard side, to expand cargo stowage space further. Below deck, two large box-shaped cargo holds are optimised for dry bulk and feature adjustable triple decks and no centre-line bulkhead. With the superstructure positioned forward, there is unobscured sailing visibility and no physical restriction on cargo height.

The vessels are also adapted to sail with open hatch covers, enabling extremely tall and over-dimensional units to be safely stowed in the hold space.