The 32,000-deadweight heavy-lift vessel AAL HAMBURG recently transported 16 bulk-commodity barges, with a combined volume of 80,000 freight tons, on a single voyage from Brazil to Uruguay — one of AAL Shipping’s more complex engineering operations to date.

The voyage, carried out with AAL's 32,000 dwt Super B-Class vessel and its engineering expertise, marks the first step toward establishing a regular presence in South America.

The barges being delivered by AAL will support local mining operations in harnessing inland waterways to transport iron and manganese ore from Brazil to Uruguay for export.

They are expected to significantly increase capacity for more eco-efficient water-bound bulk transport and elevate Brazil's presence in the global commodities market. The minerals will travel over 2,500km along the Paraguay - Paraná Waterway, a vital corridor linking Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay with the Atlantic Ocean.

Each barge measures 61 metres in length, 15 metres in width, and weighs 380-400 tonnes. They were loaded and stacked over several days in a transverse four-tier formation with a 15-metre overhang on each side of the AAL HAMBURG – a configuration rarely seen in the industry.

AAL noted that the formation allowed the vessel to carry 16 barges on a single voyage (14 on deck and two in the hold), a volume not achievable with other vessel types or conventional multipurpose cargo methods. The ECO‑DECK retractable deck‑extension system was a key element in completing the operation.

"The significant cargo overhang on both the starboard and port sides created major stability challenges along the 3,400 km ocean passage between Northern Brazil and Uruguay. We spent many weeks developing a safe and efficient solution to meet the client’s objectives – and delivered it through, forward thinking engineering, and close collaboration between AAL and the wider supply-chain. The AAL HAMBURG proved self-sustaining, using her own 700-tonne max-lift cranes to avoid costly and hard-to-source floating cranes and helping to deliver optimum operational efficiency, and safety throughout,” said Yahaya Sanusi, deputy head of AAL Engineering.

Eugene Nutovych, senior chartering manager AAL Americas said this project has pushed boundaries. "We are immensely proud of what has been achieved.  It has provided valuable experience and insights not only for AAL, but all our supply chain partners involved – hugely important to the successful delivery of future project demands."

"The production of high-grade iron and manganese ores is of huge commercial importance to the region - support, supporting the local economy and creating jobs. These barges will not only increase transport capacity in support of production but also help shift commodity transport from roads to a cleaner and much more efficient waterway solution."