Three years after launching the Aurora Class design, the first Aurora class vessel, ‘Höegh Aurora’, has been delivered at a naming ceremony at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard in Jiangsu, China.
The ship is described as a “ground-breaking and transformational vessel setting new standards for sustainable deep-sea shipping.” Already operating what Hoegh Autoliners claims to be the world’s most sustainable pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) fleet, the company is launching a green fleet renewal programme – ordering 12 new multi-fuel-ready vessels designed for transportation of future cargo, as a step forward towards its 2040 net-zero emissions goal.
All Aurora vessels will carry DNV’s ‘ammonia ready’ and ‘methanol ready’ notations, and will be the first in the PCTC-segment to be able to operate on green ammonia. The vessels will be cutting carbon emissions per car transported by up to 58% from the current industry average. In 2027, when the Auroras are powered entirely by clean ammonia, they will eliminate nearly all CO2 emissions.
Andreas Enger, CEO Höegh Autoliners, said: “With the Aurora Class, we are pioneering efforts to combat pollution in a hard-to abate segment. We are setting new standards for sustainable deep-sea transportation, making a significant stride toward our 2040 net zero emissions goal. As the largest and most environmentally friendly PCTCs ever built, the Aurora class vessels embody the change our industry needs. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the Norwegian maritime cluster, our trusted partners, and our investors. We are grateful for their invaluable contributions to this project.”
The first Aurora vessel, Höegh Aurora, will commence commercial operations immediately. The Aurora Class has a capacity of up to 9,100 cars – and with strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems she can carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks. The Auroras are designed for future cargo. They will have 1500m2 of solar panels on the top deck, reducing electricity production from the generators by up to 30-35% as well as the vessels being primed to embrace electric shore power for emissions-free port operations.
Sebjørn Dahl, COO Höegh Autoliners said: “We have progressed from the initial idea to having the finished vessel in commercial operation in under four years—a record speed that attests to the exceptional effort from our employees and partners, whom I sincerely thank. The Aurora Class is the crown jewel of our ground-breaking, industry-transforming green fleet renewal program. These vessels meet the demands of our growing number of carbon-conscious customers seeking emission reductions and sustainable transportation. Together, we will not rest until we achieve net zero operations.”
The first Aurora Class vessels will be running on LNG, biofuels, and low-sulphur oil. From 2027, the aim is that the last four of the 12 Aurora Class vessels will be running on green ammonia, reducing emissions by close to 100%.
With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners believes it is raising the demand for ammonia as a viable, zero-carbon maritime fuel. Höegh Autoliners has already partnered with several leading ammonia producers to ensure the supply and usage of green ammonia – these include Yara Clean Ammonia, Norwegian North Ammonia, and Sumitomo Corporation. Through its membership of the First Movers Coalition, Höegh Autoliners has committed, to powering at least 5% of its deep-sea operations with green ammonia by 2030. The goal is to run its fleet on at least 100,000t of green ammonia by that same year.
The Aurora Class is the result of long collaboration with partners including China Merchants Heavy Industries, Kongsberg Maritime, DNV, DeltaMarin, MAN Energy Systems, MacGregor, TGE Marine, Bank of Communications, HD Huyndai, and Glamox.
Board Chair, Leif O. Høegh said: “Together with our partners, we are removing carbon from one of the hardest-to-abate sectors. Changing the perception of deep-sea transportation. Together, we are making sustainable shipping doable, accelerating the green transition within our industry and setting a whole new standard for sustainable solutions and services in shipping. Höegh Autoliners have always innovated, explored new ways and changed the future for the better. That is who we are. The Aurora Class is probably our most impactful innovation yet.”
All vessels are being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), to be classed by DNV and registered under the Norwegian flag, NIS. Höegh Autoliners expects the delivery of two Aurora Class vessels every six months until the first half of 2027, with the option of ordering another four ships.
Image: ‘Höegh Aurora’ delivery ceremony (source: Höegh Autoliners)
