Two weeks after signing the Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonisation of Global Shipping, Höegh Aurora, the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly car carrier ever built, will arrive in the very same city, celebrating the joint commitment to establish green shipping corridors that utilize sustainable green fuels while swiftly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of the global shipping
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.
Source: Höegh Autoliners
