Denmark / Germany – In a major leap for maritime decarbonization, leading deep-sea ro-ro operator Höegh Autoliners has placed a landmark order with German engine manufacturer Everllence for the world’s first-ever ammonia-burning engines for Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs). This pivotal partnership signals a new era for clean propulsion within global shipping, as Höegh Autoliners pursues its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions for its vessel operations by 2040.
The order is for four Everllence B&W ME-LGIA (Liquid Gas Injection Ammonia) dual-fuel engines, which will be installed on the final four of Höegh’s groundbreaking 12-vessel ‘Aurora’-class series. These engines, with a size of 7S60ME-LGIA, will be manufactured by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in South Korea and delivered to an undisclosed Asian shipyard.
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A Shared Vision for a Zero-Carbon Future
Both Höegh Autoliners and Everllence are at the forefront of the industry’s green transition, with this collaboration serving as a testament to their shared commitment to sustainable shipping. The ‘Aurora’ class PCTCs are designed to be the largest and most environmentally friendly of their kind, with a capacity of 9,100 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). They are the first PCTCs to receive the DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, making them pioneers in the segment for zero-carbon propulsion.
“The engines are the beating heart of our vessels, and we take it as a clear mark of confidence that Everllence has chosen us to install some of the world’s first two-stroke ammonia engines on our final four Aurora Class vessels,” said Sebjørn Dahl, Chief Operations Officer at Höegh Autoliners.
Sebjørn Dahl underscored the importance of the collaboration, stating, “Reaching zero is a shared ambition, and Everllence plays a vital role in helping us realize our goal of operating our large PCTC vessels on zero-carbon fuels from 2027.“
Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business at Everllence, expressed confidence in ammonia as a future fuel. “This order – one of several ammonia pilot-projects we have in China, Japan and South Korea – gives us encouragement that we are on the right path,” he said. “We have adopted a responsible, safety-first approach to developing this engine on account of ammonia’s particular risk-profile, and are confident that ammonia will ultimately become one of three major, alternative fuels in the market along with methanol and methane.”
Technological Excellence and Safety
Christian Ludwig, Head of Two-Stroke Sales and Promotion at Everllence, highlighted the engine’s technological readiness. “The two-stroke ammonia test engine has been successfully running since 2023, with combustion performing as expected. The ME-LGIA engine concept operates on the Diesel principle, a reliable foundation that leverages the proven design of Everllence’s existing dual-fuel engines. This includes using the same sealing-oil design for the fuel-booster injection valves, which has been shown to be particularly efficient and important.“
Safety is a paramount concern in developing ammonia-fueled vessels due to the fuel’s toxicity and corrosive nature. Both companies are adopting a safety-first approach. The Aurora-class design, with its DNV “ammonia-ready” notation, ensures that the vessels’ technical systems and design are prepared for the safe handling and use of ammonia, including specialized ventilation, handling equipment, and crew training to mitigate any risks. By the end of 2026, Everllence tentatively expects to have a small number of demonstration projects on the water to enable a commercial market introduction of various-sized ME-LGIA engines.
Höegh Autoliners: A Leader in Sustainable Shipping
Höegh Autoliners is a leading provider in the Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) segment, and this landmark order is a cornerstone of its decarbonization strategy. The company has a clear plan to reduce its fleet-wide carbon intensity by over 30% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. The ‘Aurora’ class, with its multi-fuel capabilities, is central to this vision. These vessels are designed for future-proof operations and can be converted to run on a variety of alternative fuels, allowing Höegh Autoliners to lead the way in sustainable deep-sea transportation.
This collaboration between a leading shipowner and a top-tier engine manufacturer demonstrates the industry’s proactive commitment to innovation and sustainability. By running on clean, green ammonia, these pioneering vessels are expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 58% per transported car compared to the current industry average, paving the way for a greener future for the entire maritime sector.
About Everllence
Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) is a global leader in clean propulsion, energy transition, and industrial decarbonization. Headquartered in Germany, Everllence delivers advanced engine technologies, carbon-neutral fuel retrofits, carbon capture systems, and hydrogen-based solutions. Its global service division, Everllence PrimeServ, ensures comprehensive support across 140+ locations and serves customers through over 15,000 employees worldwide.
Through its subsidiary Quest One, Everllence is also accelerating scalable green hydrogen production to support a net-zero future.
Source Everllence