Ships slash emissions

Höegh Autoliners has confirmed an order for six additional dual-fuel LNG Aurora-class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

They are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031 and will extend the company’s Aurora project to 18 new zero-carbon-ready vessels being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI).

Benefiting from long-term strategic partnership advantages, large-scale serial construction economics and mature vessel design iteration, Höegh Autoliners says it has secured highly competitive contract terms for the fleet.

The company has also obtained a six-month construction option for four extra vessels under identical contractual conditions, alongside reserved building slots for another four that are valid until December 31 next year.

Including the 12 vessels previously delivered or under construction, the overall Aurora-class programme is scalable to a maximum of 26 ships.

Designed with low-carbon and future-proof specifications, each Aurora-class vessel holds DNV’s ammonia and methanol-ready classification notations. Equipped with Everllence main propulsion systems and Kongsberg Maritime intelligent bridge solutions, they feature a cargo capacity of up to 9,100 cars.

Compared with traditional PCTC tonnage, the Aurora series cuts carbon emissions by up to 58 per cent, delivering superior environmental performance and operational efficiency. 

The ships are fully reserved with technical conversion potential for future ammonia fuel adaptation, laying a solid foundation for long-term zero-carbon transformation.

The Aurora-class project stems from a strategic co-operation framework established by Höegh Autoliners and CMHI in 2021. The first batch of four was confirmed in 2022, and the programme has achieved phased expansion to 12 and then onto the current 18 orders.

Höegh Autoliners operates about 40 ro-ro vessels worldwide and makes more than 2,000 port calls annually.