AAL Shipping has transported 192 units of UN3480 lithium‑ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) cargo from Taicang, China, to Newcastle, Australia, aboard the 31,000‑dwt heavy‑lift vessel AAL Brisbane. The shipment forms part of a larger 720‑unit series supporting one of Australia’s key grid‑connected battery development projects.
AAL said each of the 192 BESS units measured 3.1m in length, 2.66m in height, 2.06m in width, with each unit weighing 14 tons.
AAL's A-Class vessel, AAL Brisbane, safely stowed the Category 9 BESS cargo on the 3,000m2 upper deck across the hatch covers, in full compliance with stringent IMO Dangerous Goods regulations governing lithium-ion cargo.
"A critical step in preparing the IMO-classified cargo for loading is the completion of all required 'hot work,' including welding the D-rings used for lashing," said Jack Zhou, AAL's GM and chief representative of China.
"On loading, it was essential that the stowage positioning and lashing plan was executed by our crew and Caro Superintendent (CSI) with precision to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of these units," he added.
The voyage was executed as part of AAL's established Asia-Australia East Coast Liner Service (AUEC), which provides end-to-end transportation solutions for all manner of multipurpose cargo across the region – both small parcels and large heavy lift consignments.
AAL handled close to 3,000 BESS units across 29 voyages in 2025, reflecting growing familiarity with the cargo type. The company said its approach relies on trained teams, compliance with IMO Dangerous Goods requirements and careful stowage planning to maintain proper segregation and stability during transport.
Growth in BESS demand
With the global energy transition accelerating, the scale of BESS deployment continues to grow.
AAL said by the end of 2025, global installed capacity exceeded 300 GWh, with rapid annual increases driving demand for specialist transport.
As containerised options for these heavy, sensitive units are phased out, reliance is increasing on MPV vessels with the deck strength, crane capacity and technical expertise needed for safe handling.
The large-scale grid-connected battery development where the BESS units will be deployed, is on the site of a former power station marking a major step forward in supporting the transformation of retired sites into clean-energy facilities minimising the need for new land development.
The site will be designed to help stabilise the electricity grid as more renewable energy, such as wind and solar, comes online.
The announcement said the project's first stage will provide enough storage to supply almost 800,000 homes with electricity, with future stages set to boost capacity by more than 50% — helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support Australia’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.
"Battery Energy Storage Systems are fundamental to the next phase of the global energy transition, and AAL is proud to support the landmark project," Zhou said.
"As BESS unit sizes grow, regulations tighten and demand accelerates, AAL remains committed to investing in fleet capability, safety expertise, and schedule reliability to support our customers and the wider clean-energy supply chain," he added.