Award-winning multipurpose (MPP) and project heavy lift carrier AAL Shipping, in partnership with Peters & May, has successfully transported 38 private yachts – the largest of which was 32 m long – on deck in a single sailing from Fort Lauderdale, US, to Southampton, UK, and Antwerp, Belgium.
 
The cargo covered an area of 2,500 m2 – about half the size of a soccer pitch – and was carried aboard the ‘mega size’ 31,000 dwt AAL Melbourne, with her 39,500 cbm intake capacity and weather deck space of 3,000 m2.
 
Marc Willim, General Manager of AAL’s Chartering Department, commented: “With 25-years’ experience delivering tramp chartering solutions and operating scheduled liner services on busy trades around the world, we have carried our fair share of pleasure craft.
 
“Only a few months ago, we transported an 86m long aluminium superyacht hull from China to Australia, the largest single floating cargo piece that we have ever carried.
 
“Similarly, 38 yachts with an average length of 16m on deck requires well-planned stowage engineering and lashing, a first-class crew and a very special ship.”
 
He added: “At a time when the global shipping community is concerned about the ability of MPP carriers to deliver service and schedule integrity, this sailing examples AAL’s own boosted frequency through the US.
 
“In a boost to the region’s shippers, in June we have multiple MPP vessels calling US West Coast, Gulf and East Coast Ports and ready to serve market needs.”
 
Dave Holley, Chief Executive Officer of Peters & May, concluded by saying: “Moving this many yachts in one go is always full of challenges and we are very careful which carrier we choose for such a voyage.
 
“AAL provided us with a timely solution and the whole operation went extremely smoothly. We are now looking forward to our next transatlantic voyage.”
 
The AAL Melbourne recently transported two giant jib cranes, each weighing 900 metric tonnes from Taicang, China, to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. AAL has released drone footage of both of the cargos on board the ship, which can be downloaded here.
 
AAL, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has launched a new initiative called ‘Get Onboard!’ offering cargo transport, free of freight charge, to registered charities worldwide needing to transport vital goods and equipment internationally and suffering the financial effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
 
About AAL
AAL is one of the world’s leading breakbulk and heavy lift project cargo operators, offering a unique ‘total multipurpose solution’ of flexible and competitive Chartering, Liner, and Semi-Liner services for its customers – connecting Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
 
Established in 1995 and marking its 25th anniversary in 2020, the company operates the multipurpose sector’s youngest fleet of modern multipurpose heavy lift vessels (ranging from 19,000 to 33,000 dwt), offering extreme heavy-lift capability (700mt max), with leading intake capacity.
 
A single-minded focus on customer service and quality has led AAL to become the world’s most awarded MPV carrier. In 2016, it won multiple awards, including top honours at the Global Freight Awards in London and the 21st Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards in Sydney. Early 2017, AAL won the AFLAS ‘Best Shipping Line – Project Cargo’ award (for an unprecedented fourth time) and followed it up in October with top ‘Project Carrier’ honours at the Lloyd’s List Asia Pacific Awards.
 
In 2018, AAL won the AFLAS award again and honoured within the ‘Excellence in Bulk Logistics or Heavy Lift Handling’ category at the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards 2018. In 2019, AAL followed up its previous successes with ‘Shipping Line of The Year’ at the prestigious Heavy Lift Awards and ‘Best Shipping line – Project Cargo’ at the AFLAS Awards.