With a shared vision to lead the way in green maritime technology, Kongsberg Digital and Höegh Autoliners have expanded a collaboration that has existed since 2019 by signing a new agreement to digitalise the remaining vessels in the Höegh fleet plus the upcoming Aurora-class vessels.
This strategic move is believed to solidify the joint commitment to leveraging digital solutions for increased efficiency and sustainability in the maritime industry. In 2019, Höegh Autoliners was the first customer of Vessel Insight, Kongsberg Digital’s cloud infrastructure. To exploit new ways to reduce emissions, increase predictability, and improve safety, Höegh Autoliners has acted as a pilot customer for Kongsberg Digital, testing new technology such as Digital Twin for the maritime industry and applications such as Vessel Performance.
Höegh Autoliners has an ambitious newbuild program going forward, with its ammonia-ready dual-fuel Aurora class vessels – the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly PCTCs. Höegh Autoliners has ordered 12 Aurora class vessels – expecting the delivery of two every six months starting from the second half of 2024.
The Aurora class vessels will have Vessel Insight installed when they embark on their maiden voyages. The newly signed contract ensures the continued roll-out of Vessel Insight to Höegh Autoliners’ existing fleet, except for a few older vessels, and to be connected to the cloud through Kongsberg Digital’s maritime cloud infrastructure throughout 2023.
Höegh Autoliners has a clear ambition to reach net zero by 2040 and to improve AER (efficiency) by 30% by 2030, with 2019 as a baseline. Höegh Autoliners claims a strong decarbonisation track record with efficiency has been improved by 37% since 2008. The extended collaboration between Kongsberg Digital and Höegh Autoliners will play an important role in Höegh Autoliner’s ambition to meet its set goals.
Kongsberg Digital CEO Shane McArdle said: “With our close history, Höegh Autoliners is more of a partner than a customer to us; the company is a digital, ambitious frontrunner with whom we share a passion for innovation and sustainability. The best and only way to meet sustainability ambitions and the everincreasing emissions regulations within the maritime sector is to work together on the issues at hand. We are proud to be Höegh Autoliners trusted digitalisation partner, and Kongsberg Digital is truly looking forward to working closely with Höegh Autoliners in the coming years.”
Andreas Enger, CEO Höegh Autoliners said: “We are steadily progressing towards achieving a state of zero emissions while consistently delivering reliable ocean transportation solutions to our global customers. In pursuit of this objective, we are actively digitalising our fleet using Kongsberg Digital’s technology. This will accelerate our path towards more sustainable, efficient, and transparent operations while ensuring that our vessels are at the forefront of digitalisation in the industry. Embracing this digital revolution enables us to offer improved services to our valued customers worldwide.“
Höegh Autoliners operates around 40 ro-ro vessels in global trade systems and makes about 3,000 port calls each year. It works with customers and partners to decarbonise logistics chains and transform the deep sea car carrier segment. Höegh Autoliners has its head office in Oslo, Norway.