Höegh Autoliners $HAUTO (-0,34%) has christened its sixth Aurora-class vessel operating in Sweden's leading port and the largest in the Nordic region.
The vessel was sponsored by Jenny Westermark, Senior Vice President, GTO Production Logistics at Volvo Group $VOLV A (+0,16%)
$VOLV B (+0,28%)who performed the traditional bottle breaking ceremony.
With a capacity of 9,100 car equivalent units (CEU), the Höegh Moonlight is part of Höegh Autoliners' flagship series of 12 next-generation pure car and truck carriers (PCTC).
All 12 vessels are designed from the keel up for the transition to clean fuels, with the first eight running on LNG via dual-fuel engines.
They are also equipped to run on clean ammonia with reinforced decks and an integrated tank developed by TGE Marine at the heart of the design, allowing for easy conversion.
The final four units of the Aurora newbuilding program, scheduled for delivery from 2027, will be dual-fuel vessels capable of running on ammonia from day one.
The eight first LNG-powered dual-fuel vessels will produce an estimated 58% less emissions per vehicle transported compared to the industry average.
The Aurora class plays a central role in the company's ambition to become zero-emission by 2040.
All ships are classified by DNV and fly the Norwegian flag. The fifth sister ship, the Höegh Sunrise, was christened in the port of Omaezaki in Japan in June this year.
The Managing Director of Höegh Autoliners, Andreas Enger, commented: "The christening of the Höegh Moonlight demonstrates our strong commitment to decarbonizing ocean shipping - not in the future, but now, today. These ships are not concepts, but working, sailing answers to one of the most pressing challenges in our industry. I would like to thank Jenny Westermark for generously sponsoring the ship."
