Höegh Autoliners and China Merchants Group have formally signed an agreement for the construction of six additional Aurora Class vessels, further expanding the Norwegian car carrier operator’s fleet of large, dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready PCTCs.
The new vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) and are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031.
With the latest order, Höegh Autoliners has increased the total number of vessels planned for its Aurora Class to 18.
The Aurora Class ships are designed to transport up to 9,100 cars and can reduce carbon emissions per transported vehicle by as much as 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.
The vessels also carry DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, allowing them to be adapted for operation on future zero-carbon fuels as those technologies and fuel supplies develop.
By expanding the Aurora Class programme, Höegh Autoliners said it is taking action now while seeking to future-proof its fleet for the industry’s transition towards zero-carbon operations.
The shipbuilding agreement also reinforces the position of China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry, a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, which ranks as the world’s leading shipbuilding yard by PCTC market share.
The latest signing builds on the long-term industrial cooperation between Höegh Autoliners and China Merchants Heavy Industries (CMHI).
The Chinese shipyard has already delivered Aurora Class vessels that have entered commercial service and will be responsible for building all 18 ships included in the expanded programme.
Höegh Autoliners has also secured an option for four additional vessels under the same terms, while reserving construction slots for another four vessels.
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