Austral Asia Line (AAL) - Experts & Thought Leaders

AAL Shipping, a multiple award-winning project heavy lift cargo operator headquartered in Singapore, has chosen ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS – Marine Advisory System to optimise operations of their advanced fleet of Super B-Class heavy lift vessels. ABB’s technology will help enhance the safety and efficiency of its cargo-carrying operations. Super B-Class vessels AAL has currently four 32,000 deadweight tonnage ships in operation and four due for delivery by 2026. The third-generation Super B-Class vessels have been designed for maximum flexibility to transport bulky, heavy and high-value loads. Deployed across varying and often challenging conditions worldwide, the heavy-lift vessels require special attention to ensure that operations are continuously optimised for safety and efficiency. Cargo and offshore wind markets OCTOPUS is the pioneer in motion monitoring and forecasting solutions within the semi-submersible fleet OCTOPUS is the market pioneer in motion monitoring and forecasting solutions within the global semi-submersible fleet. Now the demand for monitoring and operational planning software from the project cargo and offshore wind markets is on the rise. ABB’s OCTOPUS package for AAL includes response forecasting and motion monitoring, which ensures vessel operations remain within allowable motion limitations. This helps to minimise the risk of damage to the ship and its cargo while also supporting route planning optimisation. By maximising fuel consumption efficiency, the feature also contributes to reduced carbon emissions per transported cargo unit. ABB’s OCTOPUS technology “As a provider of a total multipurpose shipping solution, we have earned a reputation amongst our global client base for providing best-in-class shipping operations built on reliability and efficiency,” said Nicola Pacifico, Head of Transport Engineering at AAL Shipping. “ABB’s OCTOPUS system provides us with unparalleled decision-making support. A key area of benefit is when we are sailing with the ‘AAL Eco-Deck’ in place along the starboard side of the vessel. When either using or planning to use the Eco-Deck, ABB’s OCTOPUS technology can aid us in monitoring and forecasting the potential reaction of our vessel to various modelled wave and weather conditions – crucial to planning safe and efficient sailings.” Cargo and offshore wind transportation “Our OCTOPUS technology enables a wide range of shipping companies to operate leaner and cleaner,” said Jaap-Jan Stoker, Global Solutions Manager, ABB Marine & Ports. “When it comes to monitoring and forecasting vessel motions, we have been the industry standard in segments such as container shipping and semi-submersibles for many years. Now other segments such as project cargo and offshore wind transportation also seek to gain enhanced insight into vessel motions to enable safer passage in varying weather conditions.” Fuel efficiency and environmental impact According to Data Horizon Research, the multi-purpose vessel market has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, driven by increasing global trade activities and the versatility of these vessels. The market has seen a shift towards larger and more technologically advanced vessels, capable of handling diverse cargo types while maintaining fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

HMM has announced that it is beginning its cooperation with Singapore-based carrier, Austral Asia Line (AAL), for Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) service. As per this cooperation, HMM & AAL will start joint service for 4 MPVs in HMM’s operation, as well as newly added 2 AAL A-Class vessels. Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) service HMM, one of Korea’s major operators of MPVs, will be deploying six vessels in the Asia - Middle East region HMM, one of Korea’s major operators of MPVs, will be deploying six vessels in the Asia - Middle East region, instead of four that is deployed at the moment. One of the AAL’s vessels will be deployed in March 2018 and the other in the second half of the year. With HMM & AAL’s respective liner expertise and industry knowledge, together with the increased number of deployed vessels, the service shall develop further, to encompass a wider pool of cargo (including Project, Bulk and Breakbulk cargoes), providing service for a wider range of customers and for EPC’s (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) project cargoes. HMM - Austral Asia Line (AAL) partnership Austral Asia Line’s spokesperson explained, “AAL and HMM share valuable expertise serving this trade and solid reputations for trust and quality. By pooling our resources, we can each offer more comprehensive service portfolios, with improved frequency, capacity, coverage and economies of scale for our customers. There will be no collaboration on pricing and we will each pursue bookings, under our own respective brands, with separate commercial teams and bills of lading.” A HMM executive stated, “Through this cooperation with AAL, we can provide a higher quality of service to our valued customers and we will put our utmost effort to further expand our market share, in order to create more profitability. Additionally, we can now provide a wider solution to our customers, through possible expansion of the cooperation with AAL, outside the Middle East region.”