Confirming the Hamburg Declaration: The world’s largest and most environmentally friendly car carrier calls the Port of Hamburg

The Höegh Aurora is the very first of Höegh Autoliners 12 Aurora Class vessels. Two of them, the Höegh Aurora and the Höegh Borealis are already in commercial operations, while the remaining 10 of these marvels of modern engineering and deep-sea transportation will be built and delivered by the first half of 2028

Already operating the world’s most sustainable pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) fleet sailing the oceans today, Höegh Autoliners’ green fleet renewal program confirms the company’s mission to lead the industry to net zero by 2040.

Today, shipping accounts for around 3 percent of all global emissions. 940 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. 90% of shipping emissions come from deep-sea transportation.

That needs to change, and Höegh Autoliners is leading that change with our Aurora Class. The vessels will be cutting carbon emissions per car transported by up to 58 percent from the current industry average, representing the future of the shipping industry.

Andreas Enger: A monumental leap towards net zero

In 2027, when the first Aurora is powered entirely by clean ammonia, nearly all carbon emissions will be eliminated. With our Auroras, we are sailing for sustainability.

“It is great to see the Höegh Aurora again. She is already changing the industry, pioneering efforts to combat pollution in a hard-to abate segment. With the Höegh Aurora and the rest of the Aurora Class, 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 Höegh Aurora embodies the change our industry needs,” says Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

As the ammonia engines are somewhat delayed it seems that we will have vessels 9, 10 and 11 delivered in 2027 and vessel number 12 in the first half of 2028

The Höegh Aurora 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 1500 square meters of solar panels on the top deck reduces electricity production from the generators by up to 30-35 percent. She is also primed to embrace electric shore power for emissions-free port operations.

After initially having bunkered LNG in Shanghai, the Höegh Aurora loaded cargo in Japan and South Korea before heading to Europe, calling ports in Belgium, France, UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands before Hamburg and Germany.

In Germany’s biggest and the third largest port in Europe, Höegh Autoliners will host a grand event for hundreds of the company’s customers and partners, celebrating the monumental leap towards sustainable deep-sea shipping, the Höegh Aurora is.

Oskar Orstadius: Decarbonizing the Supply Chain for Customers

“With the launch of our Aurora class vessels, Höegh Autoliners is taking a significant step toward decarbonizing the supply chain for our customers. These cutting-edge vessels, capable of operating on zero-carbon fuels, demonstrate our commitment to eco-conscious maritime transport. By integrating these environmentally responsible ships into our fleet, we are not only reducing our environmental footprint but also helping our customers meet their sustainability goals,” says Oskar Orstadius, CSO at Höegh Autoliners.

Sebjørn Dahl: The answer to carbon-conscious customers

The Höegh Aurora and the rest of the Aurora class are equipped with the newest and most modern maritime technology, including state-of-the-art safety and digitalization solutions.

“The Aurora Class is the crown jewel of our groundbreaking, 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. We will not rest until we achieve net-zero operations”, says Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners.

With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners are raising the demand for ammonia as a viable, zero-carbon maritime fuel.

Höegh Autoliners has already partnered with several of the world’s leading ammonia producers to ensure the supply and usage of green ammonia – these include Yara Clean Ammonia, Norwegian North Ammonia, Sumitomo Corporation, and more.

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 100,000 metric tons of green ammonia by that same year.

Leif O. Høegh: Our biggest innovation yet

The Aurora Class is the result of years of hard work, extensive maritime knowledge, and visionary partnerships with the best in class on all fronts; China Merchants Heavy Industries, Kongsberg Maritime, DNV, DeltaMarin, MAN Energy Systems, MacGregor, TGE Marine, Bank of Communications, HD Huyndai, Glamox – and many more.

“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. And the Aurora Class is probably our most impactful innovation yet,” says Chairman of the board, Leif O. Høegh.

All Aurora Class vessels are being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), classed by DNV, and registered under the Norwegian flag, «NIS».

Höegh Autoliners expects the delivery of two Aurora Class vessels every six months until H1 2027.

For more information, please contact:

Camilla Knappskog, Head of communications

Email: Camilla.knappskog@hoegh.com Phone: +47 92666156

The Aurora Class

Our Aurora Class will be the largest and most environmentally friendly PCTC ever built, further accelerating Höegh Autoliners’ decarbonization efforts and setting a new standard for more sustainable deep-sea transportation.

Being the first in the PCTC segment to receive DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, the Auroras will also be the first to be ready to operate zero-carbon ammonia propulsion with the main engine designed by MAN and the bridge system supplied by Kongsberg Maritime.

Through partnerships with world-leading ammonia distributors, we are driving the industry towards a net zero future and creating demand for sustainable fuels to accelerate the transition. We have 12 Aurora vessels on order - and the possibility of another four.

All contracted with the Norwegian flag and DNV-class.The first Vessel was delivered in July 2024 and will be in commercial operation beginning of August 2024. By the first half of 2027, all twelve Auroras will be delivered and in operation, equipped with engines primed to run on ammonia. Notably, we have secured access to MAN’s groundbreaking ammonia 2-stroke engines for installation on the vessels. All Auroras are built exactly alike.

HÖEGH AURORA

YEAR BUILT 2024

DWT 25 200

GT 83 687

CARGO CAPACITY 9100 CEU

FLAG: NORWEGIAN

MAX DECK HEIGHT: 6.5 M

MAX DOOR WIDTH: 19 M

MAX RAMP CAPASITY: 375 MT

LENGTH OVER ALL: 199.90 M

BREADTH (MLD): 37.8 M