Second-hand and new units to enhance fleet
The heavy lift project carrier, AAL Shipping, which is based in Singapore, has acquired two heavy lift 33,000 dwt multipurpose vessels (MPVs) from the second-hand market. The units are branded 'AAL Mars' and 'AAL Merkur'.
The vessels have already been serving within the carrier's operating fleet worldwide on a commercial management basis.
Along with four other acquisitions made by AAL over the past eight months, these vessels now have helped to grow AAL's owned fleet to almost 570,000 dwt and give the carrier control of 80% of its current operating fleet.
AAL has also announced a 'third-generation' multipurpose (MPP) ship building programme for four mega-size heavy lift MPP vessels, each with 32,000 dwt, three heavy lift cranes (350 t each and 700 t maximum lift) and fully compliant with forthcoming IMO CO2 emissions regulations. (sh)