The Future is Here: The World’s Largest and most Environmentally Friendly Car Carrier in the industry named today

Today, shipping accounts for around 3 percent of all global emissions. 90% of shipping emissions come from deep-sea transportation. That is a big global problem that needs to be addressed now.

Already operating the world’s most sustainable pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) fleet sailing the oceans today, Höegh Autoliners have launched a transformational green fleet renewal program - ordering 12 brand new multi-fuel-ready vessels designed for transportation of future cargo.

The Aurora Class is a monumental leap towards Höegh Autoliners 2040 net-zero emissions goal. They represent the future of the deep seas shipping’s industry.

All Auroras will have DNV’s “ammonia ready” and “methanol ready” notations. And will be the first in the PCTC-segment to be able to operate on carbon-neutral ammonia. The vessels will be cutting carbon emissions per car transported by up to 58 percent from the current industry average.

Andreas Enger: A monumental leap towards net zero

In 2027, when the Auroras are powered entirely by clean ammonia, they will eliminate nearly all carbon emissions. With our Auroras, we are sailing for sustainability.

“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”, says Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

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 1500 square meters of solar panels on the top deck, reducing electricity production from the generators by up to 30-35 percent as well as the vessels being primed to embrace electric shore power for emissions-free port operations.

Sebjørn Dahl: The Aurora Class is the answer to carbon-conscious customers

The Aurora Class is equipped with the newest and most modern maritime technology, including state-of-the-art safety and digitalization solutions.

“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 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. Together, we will not rest until we achieve net zero operations”, says Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners.

The first Aurora Class vessels will be running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), biofuels, and low-sulfur oil. From 2027, the aim is that the last 4 of the 12 Aurora Class vessels will be running on clean, green ammonia. Reducing emissions by close to 100 percent.

With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners are raising the demand for ammonia as a viable, zero-carbon maritime fuel. Höegh Autoliners have 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. The Aurora Class is probably our most impactful innovation yet,” says Board Chair, Leif O. Høegh.

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

Höegh Autoliners expect the delivery of two Aurora Class vessels every six months until H1 2027, with the option of ordering another four ships.

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 2024By 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.

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