Höegh Autoliners has named its fifth Aurora Class vessel, ‘Höegh Sunrise’, at Omaezaki Port in Shizuoka, Japan, which the company says marks a major step toward zero-emission deep-sea shipping.
The vessels are considered the largest and most environmentally friendly car carriers yet built. The Aurora Class is said to represent a much-needed transformation and a concrete step toward zero emissions proving the technological level possible for the industry. With a capacity of 9,100 CEU, the Höegh Sunrise and her sister vessels are believed to be the largest environmentally-friendly car carriers. Höegh Autoliners’ goal is to achieve zero-emission operations by 2040.
Höegh Autoliners CEO Andreas Enger said: “The naming of our fifth vessel, Höegh Sunrise, marks a significant milestone for us and highlights the strength of the maritime cluster we work closely with on a daily basis. With Höegh Sunrise and the Aurora Class newbuilding programme, we are leading the way in addressing emissions in a hard-to-abate sector. We are setting new standards for sustainable deep-sea transportation and taking a major step toward our 2040 zero-emissions goal. As the largest and most environmentally friendly PCTCs ever built, the Aurora Class vessels represent the transformation our segment needs.”
Höegh Autoliners COO Sebjørn Dahl added: “Never in our nearly 100-year history have we built so many, such large, such technically advanced, and such environmentally friendly vessels simultaneously and at this pace. We are transforming the deep-sea industry faster than anyone thought possible just a few years ago. We are sailing for sustainability and for a better, greener future.”
On her journey from China Merchants Heavy Industry’s (CMHI) Jiangsu yard to Japan, the Höegh Sunrise bunkered LNG fuel in Shanghai. This and the other commercially active Aurora Class vessels are already reducing CO2 emissions by 58% per transported car compared to the current industry average. By 2027, when the first Aurora vessel is ready to be powered by clean ammonia directly from the yard, virtually all carbon emissions can be eliminated. Höegh Sunrise – like all Aurora Class vessels – can connect to shore power while docked, enabling zero-emission cargo operations in port.
The series of vessels meets the expectations of a growing number of carbon-conscious customers who seek emission reductions and sustainable transportation solutions. With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners sends a strong demand signal for ammonia as a viable, zero-carbon maritime fuel, and has partnered with several leading ammonia producers to secure the supply and use of green ammonia – including Sumitomo Corporation, Fortescue, Yara Clean Ammonia, and Norwegian North Ammonia.
With a capacity of up to 9,100 cars, and featuring reinforced decks and enhanced internal ramp systems, these vessels can carry electric vehicles on all it’s 14 decks. All Aurora Class vessels are certified with DNV’s ‘ammonia ready’ and ‘methanol ready’ notations – making them the first in the PCTC segment capable of operating on carbon-neutral ammonia.
Höegh Autoliners expects the delivery of two Aurora Class vessels every six months until 2027, taking the total number of Aurora Class vessels to 12. All are being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), classed by DNV and registered under the Norwegian NIS flag.
Image: Naming of ‘Höegh Sunrise’ (source: Höegh Autoliners)
