Jan 25 | 2022
Aurora-Class Vessels Are World’s Largest And Most Environmentally Friendly Car Carriers
Breakbulk specialist Höegh Autoliners has signed a contract with China Merchants Heavy Industry to manufacture a series of Aurora-class vessels, the largest and most environmentally friendly car carriers ever built.
CMHI, one of China’s biggest shipbuilding groups, will build four fixed and eight optional multi-fuel and zero carbon ready vessels, with the first two units ready in the second half of 2024 followed by another pair in the first half of 2025.
Oslo-based Höegh has options for a further four plus four of the vessels, it said.
“The collaboration with China Merchants Industry represents a breakthrough in reaching our ambitious net zero emissions target by 2040,” said Leif O. Höegh, chair of Höegh Autoliners. “The innovative design of the zero carbon ready Aurora class will enable our customers to decarbonise their supply chain. Together with CMHI we are leading the way towards a net zero emissions future for our industry.”
The Aurora-class vessel has a capacity to hold 9,100 car equivalent units, or CEUs. The ship’s multi-fuel engine can run on marine gas oil and liquified natural gas, or can be modified to use zero carbon fuels such as ammonia or methanol.
The vessel, the first in the pure car and truck carrier, or PCTC segment to run on zero carbon ammonia, will be designed by Deltamarin, a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, and built at CMHI’s shipyard at Haimen in China’s eastern Jiangsu province.
“We look forward to working together and providing Höegh Autoliners with these state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly PCTC vessels,” said Mei Zhonghua, CMHI’s general manager.
Höegh Autoliners operates mainly within the roll-on, roll-off sector, operating a fleet of 40 PCTCs with capacities ranging from 2,300 to 8,500 CEUs. The company also transports project and out-of-gauge cargo, carrying almost 6 million cubic meters of high-and-heavy breakbulk cargoes every year.
The shipper, targeting net-zero emissions by 2040, has already cut its carbon intensity by 37 percent, and is in line to meet the IMO’s target of at least 40 percent by 2030.
Höegh Autoliners will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe 2022, taking place this year on 17-19 May in Rotterdam.
