AAL completes maiden call at Trincomalee for Sri Lankan wind project - Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International

Project carrier AAL Shipping has made its maiden call in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, delivering 64,000 freight tons of wind energy components.

AAL Shipping moved the cargo from China to Sri Lanka across two sailings using its 19,000 dwt S-class vessels, AAL Bangkok and AAL Nanjing.

The cargo comprised components for 10 wind turbines, including towers, blades, nacelles and hubs, that will be installed at the 50 MW HayWind Mannaw wind farm. The project represents Sri Lanka’s largest private investment in wind energy to date. The country aims to generate 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The carrier noted in its statement that the discharge operations at Trincomalee were carried out during challenging monsoon conditions. Despite adverse weather, delivery was completed in July 2026, keeping the project on track for scheduled grid connection in March 2027, AAL said.

“Our maiden call to Trincomalee demonstrates AAL’s ability to deliver project cargoes directly to emerging destinations beyond our traditional trade routes,” said Karim Smaili , general manager Middle East, AAL Shipping.

“As supply chains evolve, customers are increasingly seeking direct access to regional locations, and this project highlights our capability to support those requirements safely and efficiently,” he said.

The US Coast Guard has called for a stronger approach to waterways risk assessment after finding that larger commercial vessels and changing traffic patterns are exposing vulnerabilities in critical port infrastructure.

Radia is positioning its planned WindRunner mega freight plane as a new transport option for the space industry, targeting rocket stages, boosters and satellites that are becoming too large for existing air logistics.

Electricity demand is rising globally as electrification gathers pace and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centres places additional strain on power systems. In the UK, however, the challenge is particularly acute.

Colonial Terminals has opened Foundation 3, a new breakbulk facility on the Savannah River, USA.