AAL Shipping has transported a 28‑metre‑high, 255‑ton shiploader aboard the AAL Singapore, reinforcing its capabilities in handling complex heavy‑lift cargo on the Asia–Europe trade lane. 

The operation highlights AAL’s growing role in serving the rapidly expanding Intra‑Asia corridor, connecting key manufacturing and industrial hubs across Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe.

 (Photo: AAL)

The shiploader was transported on one of AAL’s 31,000 dwt A-Class fleet, 'AAL Singapore', and discharged by the heavy lift vessel at the Foremost Milling Corporation in Bataan, Philippines.  

Due to the cargo’s extreme size and handling demands, the operation involved a careful tandem lift using the vessel’s port-mounted 700t maximum combi-lift cranes - stabilised by two counterweights - bringing the gross lift to 312 tonnes.

“The shiploader presented several complex engineering challenges, particularly around the lifting operation,” said the Global Head of Engineering at AAL Shipping, Nicola Pacifico. “To avoid any risk of structural damage, a vertical lift from the pad eyes was essential, while the operation also had to be carefully managed within tight height and clearance constraints caused by the nearby generator and access platform.”

Growing intra-Asia corridor

AAL noted that the Intra-Asia trade corridor is now the world’s fastest growing regional trade segment, with intra-regional trade rising 43% over the past four decades and accounting for more than half of the region’s total trade. 

Southeast Asia is leading this transformation, shifting from labour-intensive industries toward advanced manufacturing in electronics, semiconductors and automative manufacturing. 

This evolution is partly fueled by the ‘China Plus One’ strategy, as global companies diversify their supply chains across multiple Asian markets to enhance resilience. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) manufacturing value has grown steadily since 2016, with intra-ASEAN trade rebounding 7% in 2024 to reach nearly US$3.56 trillion in combined imports and exports.

AAL said the newly delivered shiploader will operate at the Mariveles Grain Corporation terminal, where it will form a crucial part of the terminal’s end-to-end grain handling system. With a discharge capacity of 10,000 tons per day, the unit will help stabilise grain import logistics and support the local food industry’s growth. 

Across Southeast Asia, more than US$110 billion in port infrastructure projects are currently underway – a reflection of the region’s booming trade and industrial activity. 

Globally, port spending is projected to reach US$207 billion by 2030. As these investments scale up, so too does the size and complexity of project cargo, driving increased demand for specialised heavy-lift and multipurpose vessel capacity.

“Our fleet is one of the most capable in the industry for lifting capacity, stowage flexibility and self-sufficiency, and AAL operates regular monthly services across Asia’s major trade lanes,” said Andrew Mangan, Chartering Manager, AAL Australia.

“This enables customers to leverage scheduled long-haul services for Intra-Asia project cargo shipments.”