AAL Shipping (AAL) has successfully transported 192 units of UN3480 lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) cargo from Taicang, China, to Newcastle, Australia, on its 31,000 deadweight heavy lift vessel, ‘AAL Brisbane’. The latest shipment, part of the wider series totaling 720 units for the project, supports one of Australia’s most significant grid-connected battery development projects.

Each of the 192 BESS units measured 3.1m in length, 2.66m in height, 2.06m in width, with each unit weighing 14 tons. AAL’s A-Class vessel, AAL Brisbane, safely stowed the Category 9 BESS cargo on the 3,000m2 upper deck across the hatch covers, in full compliance with stringent IMO Dangerous Goods regulations governing lithium-ion cargo.

“A critical step in preparing the IMO-classified cargo for loading is the completion of all required ‘hot work’, including welding the D-rings used for lashing.” Jack Zhou, AAL’s GM and Chief Representative of China, went on to explain; “on loading, it was essential that the stowage positioning and lashing plan was executed by our crew and Caro Superintendent (CSI) with precision to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of these units.”

The voyage was executed as part of AAL’s established Asia-Australia East Coast Liner Service (AUEC), which provides reliable, compliant, and efficient end-to-end transportation solutions for all manner of multipurpose cargo across the region – both small parcels and large heavy lift consignments.

AAL has built extensive experience handling BESS units for producers and other supply chain partners, having transported almost 3,000 units across 29 voyages in 2025 alone. This strong track record is underpinned by the carrier’s dedicated teams worldwide, strict adherence to IMO Dangerous Goods rules, and detailed vessel stowage planning to ensure safe segregation, stability and safety throughout each voyage.

With the global energy transition accelerating, the scale of BESS deployment continues to grow. By the end of 2025, global installed capacity exceeded 300 GWh, with rapid annual increases driving demand for specialist transport. As containerised options for these heavy, sensitive units are phased out, reliance is increasing on MPV vessels with the deck strength, crane capacity and technical expertise needed for safe handling.

The large-scale grid-connected battery development where the BESS units will be deployed, is on the site of a former power station marking a major step forward in supporting the transformation of retired sites into clean-energy facilities minimising the need for new land development. The site will be designed to help stabilise the electricity grid as more renewable energy, such as wind and solar, comes online. The project’s first stage will provide enough storage to supply almost 800,000 homes with electricity, with future stages set to boost capacity by more than 50%. Strengthening the grid using BESS units will help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support Australia’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Jack Zhou, AAL’s GM and Chief Representative of China

“Battery Energy Storage Systems are fundamental to the next phase of the global energy transition, and AAL is proud to support the landmark project”, added Zhou. “As BESS unit sizes grow, regulations tighten and demand accelerates, AAL remains committed to investing in fleet capability, safety expertise, and schedule reliability to support our customers and the wider clean-energy supply chain.”
Source: AAL Shipping