AAL Shipping has marked another milestone in its fleet expansion programme with the official naming ceremony of its latest Super B-Class vessel, AAL Mumbai, at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.
The 32,000-dwt multipurpose heavy-lift vessel, featuring a maximum lifting capacity of 800 tonnes, will now enter commercial service, taking AAL’s Super B-Class fleet strength to eight vessels. Two more vessels in the series are scheduled for delivery in 2028 as part of the company’s ongoing fleet renewal and expansion strategy.
Named after Mumbai, one of India’s leading maritime and industrial hubs, the vessel underscores AAL’s growing focus on the Indian market amid rising demand for specialised heavy-lift and project cargo transportation linked to infrastructure, offshore energy and renewable energy developments.
“The naming of AAL Mumbai is a symbolic moment for us as we expand our footprint in India,” said Marc Willim, Global Head of Chartering at AAL Shipping. “This vessel strengthens our ability to serve Indian customers with safe, reliable and flexible heavy-lift solutions, while reinforcing our commitment to supporting India’s role as a key driver of global project cargo demand.”
AAL Mumbai follows its sister vessel AAL Newcastle and introduces several technical enhancements aimed at improving operational flexibility and cargo handling efficiency. The vessel’s individual crane capacity has been increased from 350 tonnes to 400 tonnes, enabling a combined lifting capability of up to 800 tonnes.
The company said additional design improvements have been incorporated to optimise deck strength and cargo utilisation, particularly for handling oversized and complex project cargo components. These upgrades are expected to accelerate cargo operations at ports while reducing handling risks for shippers.
The newbuild will also support AAL’s mixed cargo strategy, allowing the carrier to transport heavy project cargo alongside breakbulk and general cargo shipments within the same voyage, improving vessel utilisation and operational flexibility.
Earlier this year, AAL confirmed orders for two additional Super B-Class vessels, both slated for delivery in early 2028, reinforcing the company’s long-term strategy to build a modern, fuel-efficient and highly versatile multipurpose fleet.
