AAL Shipping (AAL) has completed multiple complex cargo shipments for INEOS Project One, a USD 4 billion ethane cracker under development at the Port of Antwerp. Once operational in 2026, the plant will produce 1.5 million tonnes of ethylene annually and is expected to have the lowest carbon footprint of any cracker facility in Europe.
The first delivery involved a 277-tonne, 51-metre-long distillation column manufactured in Southern Europe. The unit was transported aboard AAL’s 31,000-deadweight A-Class vessel AAL PUSAN from Avilés, Spain, to Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi, for final preparation before heading to Antwerp.
“This operation was textbook,” said Yahaya Sanusi, Deputy Head of Transport Engineering at AAL. “By engaging early, our engineering team completed all assessments well in advance. The robust saddles simplified deck load spreading and ensured safe, efficient handling.”
Ethylene plays a vital role in renewable energy, healthcare, construction, textiles, and lightweight automotive components. INEOS Project One represents the largest chemical-sector investment in Europe in two decades and aims to set new benchmarks for efficiency and sustainability.
Following the initial shipment, AAL transported an additional 3,675 tonnes of convection modules and components from Gijon, Spain, to Antwerp aboard its new 32,000-deadweight Super B-Class vessel AAL ANTWERP. The cargo, spanning over 9,600 cubic metres, was moved in a single dedicated tramp sailing for Kuehne + Nagel M.V. Netherlands.
“Large-scale projects often involve multiple sailings and customers with highly specific requirements,” explained Marc-Oliver Brockmann, Commercial Manager, AAL Europe. “The flexibility and scale of our A-Class and Super B-Class fleets – backed by reliable transit times and tailored services – made AAL the right partner to deliver on every demand.”
