The fifth Aurora-class multi-fuel vessel from Norwegian shipping company Höegh Autoliners $HAUTO (-1,37%) has left the shipyard of China Merchants Heavy Industry and is ready to enter commercial service.
It has been announced that the 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise is on its way to Shanghai, where it will be bunkered before sailing to Japan and eventually Europe.
Described as the "largest and most environmentally friendly car carrier class currently sailing the world's oceans", Höegh Autoliners' twelve Aurora class units are equipped with multi-fuel engines that can run on marine gas oil (MGO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). A transition to carbon-free fuels is possible with appropriate ship modifications.
The Auroras are set to be the first in the PCTC segment to be classified as ammonia and methanol compatible by the classification society DNV.
As part of Höegh Autoliners' goal to be a zero-emission operator by 2040, the PCTCs are expected to be able to reduce carbon emissions per car transported by 58% compared to the current industry standard.
The company emphasized that the vessels can be connected to the electricity grid on land, which means that all auxiliary engines can be switched off and cargo operations can be carried out with zero emissions while in port.
As a reminder, the first two Aurora-class vessels, Höegh Aurora and Höegh Borealis, were delivered in August and October 2024, while the third and fourth units, Höegh Australis and Höegh Sunlight, joined the fleet in January 2025.
The shipping company expects all Auroras to be delivered and commissioned in the first half of 2027.
It is worth noting that just days after the delivery of its fourth Aurora-class multi-fuel PCTC, Höegh Autoliners signed two long-term contracts with two unnamed "major international car manufacturers" for the transportation of cars in the company's main trade lanes.
One contract reportedly runs until April 2029, while the other is for two years with a further two-year option. According to the company, both contracts were concluded at prices and conditions in line with current market levels.
