AAL, a shipping company belonging to the Schoeller Group, has called at the port of Trincomalee for the first time. Two of the company’s vessels transported components for a major offshore wind power project.
This delivery not only marks the next step in the construction of the Haywind Mannar wind farm, but also opens up new opportunities for AAL to handle project cargo in this South-East Asian country. According to a statement from the shipping company, it underlines its ability to carry out complex heavy-lift shipments to emerging markets and developing infrastructure hubs.
The transport was made possible through collaboration between AAL Middle East and the shipping company’s senior representative in India. Over the course of two voyages, AAL transported 64,000 metric tonnes of wind farm components from China to Sri Lanka; using S-class vessels – the ‘AAL Bangkok’ and the ‘AAL Nanjing’ (each with a deadweight tonnage of 19,000 dwt).
The cargo comprised components for ten complete, 100-metre-high wind turbines – including tower sections, rotor blades, nacelles, hubs and associated equipment – required for the 50-MW Haywind Mannar wind farm project.
The offshore wind farm represents Sri Lanka’s largest private investment in wind power to date. The transport solution provided by AAL enabled the delivery of all ten 5-MW turbines by July 2026, supporting their commissioning next March. The plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions from Sri Lanka’s energy sector by around 186,000 tonnes annually.
Unloading operations successfully completed
Despite challenging monsoon conditions during its maiden call at Trincomalee, AAL successfully carried out two complex unloading operations. This demonstrated the company’s ability to deliver project cargo safely and efficiently to ports not typically associated with large-scale renewable energy projects.
“Our first call at Trincomalee shows that AAL is capable of delivering project cargo directly to new destinations beyond our traditional trade routes,” said Karim Smaili, General Manager Middle East at AAL Shipping. “As supply chains continue to evolve, customers are increasingly seeking direct access to regional locations; this project underlines our ability to meet these requirements safely and efficiently. We are particularly proud that this delivery supports Sri Lanka’s ambitions in the field of renewable energy, as well as its long-term infrastructure development.”
Sri Lanka has set itself the target of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Achieving these targets requires significant investment in new wind and solar infrastructure, which in turn is driving up demand for specialised transport solutions for project cargo and heavy-haul logistics.
“Whether we are serving established project hubs or developing new freight hubs – our focus is always on providing reliable and efficient transport solutions for complex cargo,” added Vinay Agarwal, Commercial Representative for India at AAL Shipping.
“The successful operation in Trincomalee underscores the versatility of our fleet, the expertise of our engineering and operations teams – which meet the highest EPC standards – and our ability to support client projects in both established and emerging markets.”
In light of growing investment in renewable energy and industrial infrastructure across Asia, AAL remains committed to expanding access to new project locations and emerging markets. In this way, we help our customers transport critical cargo safely and efficiently to destinations that are often difficult to reach via conventional shipping networks.
AAL Shipping retains control of its vessels
The shipping company AAL, part of the Heinrich Schoeller Group, specialises in the transport of heavy-lift and project cargo. The company is currently expanding and renewing its fleet, with the next newbuilds due for delivery by 2028. There is no concern about overcapacity, as CEO Kyiacos Panayides explains in an interview with HANSA. He also provides an insight into the strategy regarding vessel sizes and the need to maintain full control over tonnage.
