Skip to main content

There will be no Breakbulk Americas Awards in 2026. We look forward to celebrating outstanding energy projects and the teams, companies, and partners behind them in 2027. In the meantime, we invite you to connect with the global breakbulk community at Breakbulk Americas, taking place September 22–23, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Register here.

Power Move : Ocean Transport

AAL Shipping

In 2024–2025, AAL Shipping launched the record-breaking Super B-Class fleet – premium project heavy lift vessels to tackle the growing size, complexity, and time sensitivity of cargo, particularly in the energy sector.

Designed in close collaboration with industry clients, the Super B-Class features 700-tonne tandem lift cranes, 40,000+ CBM of configurable stowage, and the innovative ECO-DECK, which increases deck space to 5,000+ sqm by repurposing onboard tween deck pontoons.

The fleet made over 1,000 port calls across 36 markets, achieving several industry firsts. A highlight was the transport of three fully assembled mobile harbour cranes from the Netherlands to ports in Mexico and Chile using an open-hatch configuration – an unprecedented feat for a multi-purpose vessel (MPV). Another milestone came with the maiden voyage of the AAL Limassol, which carried a record 89,000 freight tons, including 135 m-long barges and wind turbine blades. The ECO-DECK was key in enabling a single-voyage transport of four barges weighing a combined 6,200 tonnes.

AAL’s achievements mark a leap forward in engineering-led, high-efficiency project cargo logistics, setting new performance benchmarks for the MPV sector. Visit website.

UTC Overseas* – Stand D21

UTC Overseas successfully executed a groundbreaking maritime transport project, delivering the 2,024-ton Hamad Eagle lift boat from New Orleans to Cabinda, Angola. The operation covered over 6,400 nautical miles and culminated in a complex offshore float-off and live reactivation—completed in just 72 hours without the need for traditional towage or drydock. This unprecedented sea-based reactivation saved over $2 million in costs and enabled immediate deployment for offshore decommissioning.

Precision marine engineering was at the core of the operation. The float-off used dynamic ballast control, a custom A-frame, and real-time monitoring to safely submerge the vessel. Under Marine Warranty Surveyor oversight, the Hamad Eagle’s systems were restarted offshore—marking a global first for its vessel class.

The project demonstrated exceptional multinational coordination, involving UTC’s U.S.-based chartering team, Angolan maritime authorities, and multilingual crews. It met all ISM, SOLAS, and MWS standards while maintaining strict environmental protocols in sensitive marine zones.

This operation exemplifies innovation, technical excellence, and global teamwork. It redefines heavy-lift maritime logistics by enabling direct-to-site mobilization—offering a replicable model for offshore wind, decommissioning, and frontier energy projects worldwide. UTC Overseas has set a new industry standard for complex maritime transport. Visit website.

*Breakbulk Americas 2025 Exhibitor