SOME 192 units of UN3480 lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) cargo have been successfully shipped from Taicang in China to Newcastle in Australia.
The BESS cargo was shipped by AAL Shipping using its 31,000DWT heavy lift vessel, AAL Brisbane (IMO 9498341).
According to AAL, the latest shipment is part of a wider series totalling 720 units, supporting one of Australia’s most significant grid-connected battery development projects.
Each of the BESS units is 3.1metres long, 2.66metres high, 2.06metres wide, and weighing 14 tonnes.
AAL Brisbane stowed the category 9 BESS cargo on the 3,000m2 upper deck across the hatch covers.
“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,” said Jack Zhou, AAL general manager and China representative.
“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 part of AAL’s established Asia-Australia East Coast Liner Service (AUEC), which aims to provide multipurpose cargo across the region.
AAL Brisbane. Credit: AAL
AAL says it 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”.
“With the global energy transition accelerating, the scale of BESS deployment continues to grow,” AAL said in a statement.
“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.”
Mr Zhou said battery energy storage systems were fundamental to the next phase of the global energy transition, and AAL was proud to support “the landmark project”.
“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," he said.