AAL expands liner services division into Prince Rupert

Expansion provides AAL’s oil & gas customers far greater access to Northern Alberta mining projects

AAL, one of the world’s leading global breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift shipping operators, has strengthened its foothold in the oil rich mining region of Northern Alberta, by expanding its popular ‘Pacific Service’ liner route to include the British Columbia Port of Prince Rupert. Its inaugural sailing into the Canadian port on May 10 2015 was with a cargo of process units for a major new oil sands project in Alberta.

The Port of Prince Rupert, with its newly established road and rail links, has emerged as an important new gateway for project cargo imports to the oil-rich mining area of Alberta, Canada, and the wider Pacific North West.  AAL’s expanded Pacific Service will now be making regular, scheduled calls at the Port, placing AAL in a strong position to best serve major mining, energy and other projects in the region.

AAL’s Pacific Service offers a monthly frequency and a fleet of three modern ‘A-Class’ 31, 000-dwt multipurpose, heavy lift vessels – each with a combined lifting capacity of 700-mt.  Its inaugural sailing into Prince Rupert featured the A-Class,  AAL Brisbane.

Felix Schoeller, General Manager of AAL’s Pacific Service, commented: “We have gained extensive experience in serving the oil and gas, mining and energy sectors. They rely upon us to enhance their supply chains, with added-value and reliability. By expanding our Pacific Service and port network across the Pacific North West, we multiply our customers’ options and choice – ultimately impacting on the efficiency, delivery and overall competitiveness of their projects. ”

AAL is one of the world’s leading global breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift shipping operators, providing a unique dual tramp and liner service for its customers throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.  Established in 1995, the company operates the youngest fleet in the multipurpose (MPP) sector, comprising of owned vessels as well as chartered-in tonnage, all specifically designed for transporting heavy lift and project cargoes, traditional breakbulk, earth moving equipment, wind energy and offshore equipment and floating cargo such as boats and yachts.

AAL was named ‘Best Maritime Cargo Provider 2014’ at the 2015 Cargo Logistics Canada Awards of Excellence. The award win follows a sustained two-year period of investment and development for AAL in the Pacific region, which saw the establishment of the Pacific Service in 2014.  AAL also won ‘Best Shipping Line – Project Cargo 2014’ at the 2014 Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards (AFSCAs) for demonstrating superiority in quality customer service, flexibility in approach, delivery of cargo at the agreed schedule and damage-free handling of cargo.  AAL is headquartered in Singapore and is a member of the Schoeller Group, a reputable name in the maritime industry. www.aalshipping.com