Höegh Autoliners and China Merchants Group have signed a landmark contract for six additional dual-fuel Aurora Class vessels, expanding the total program to 18 ships. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industry for delivery between 2029 and 2031, the ultra-large PCTCs feature ammonia- and methanol-ready notations to cut carbon emissions per car by up to 58 percent. The agreement further strengthens a century-long partnership as Höegh Autoliners drives toward zero-emission deep-sea shipping ahead of its 2027 centenary.
Oslo, Norway | September 23, 3036 – Höegh Autoliners and China Merchants Group (CMG) have officially signed a landmark contract for the construction of six additional Aurora Class vessels. The agreement significantly expands one of the maritime industry’s most ambitious fleet renewal programs, reinforcing Höegh Autoliners’ aggressive drive toward zero-emission deep-sea shipping as the company approaches its centenary.
The formal contract signing took place during a high-level executive meeting in Naples, attended by key leadership figures including Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group; Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors of Höegh Autoliners; and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.
Setting the Pace for Zero-Emission Deep-Sea Shipping
Under the terms of the agreement, the six new dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready vessels will be constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI), with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031. With this expansion, Höegh Autoliners’ total Aurora Class programme reaches 18 vessels, positioning the company to deliver the zero-emission capacity required for future global trade.
Representing the pinnacle of modern Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) design, the Aurora Class vessels boast unprecedented scale and environmental credentials:
- Massive Capacity: Each vessel can transport up to 9,100 cars.
- Dramatic Emissions Reductions: Carbon emissions per transported car are cut by up to 58 percent compared to conventional PCTCs.
- Future-Proof Propulsion: Built with DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, the ships are fully engineered for future conversion to zero-carbon alternative fuels.
Executive Perspectives on a Century of Maritime Leadership
Leadership from both century-old industrial giants emphasized the strategic weight of the partnership and the broader imperative of maritime decarbonization.
Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors, Höegh Autoliners, said “For nearly 100 years, we have developed, adapted and led the way through major changes in shipping. It is in our DNA to keep moving and challenge what is possible. This signing continues that story. We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions.”
Andreas Enger, CEO, Höegh Autoliners, said “This is not just another vessel-building agreement. It is a statement about the future of deep-sea shipping and the role we intend to play in shaping it. The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future.”
Highlighting the historic alignment between the two organizations, Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, added “Höegh Autoliners is a pioneer in international shipping and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, The cooperation between our two sides is a strong alliance between two century-old enterprises.”
Flexible Growth and the Road to 100
The partnership builds upon existing, successful industrial cooperation between Höegh Autoliners and CMHI, which has already delivered operational Aurora Class vessels into commercial service.
To maintain maximum strategic flexibility, Höegh Autoliners has also secured options for four additional vessels on identical terms, alongside reserved construction slots for another four ships. This gives the company the potential to expand the total Aurora Class fleet to as many as 26 vessels.
As Höegh Autoliners prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027, the company continues to lean into its foundational philosophy of innovation. In the words of the company, their road to 100 years is truly the road to zero.
About Höegh Autoliners
Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transportation services, carrying cars, high and heavy machinery, and breakbulk cargo across major trade routes worldwide.
Each year, Höegh Autoliners transports approximately 1.6 million car equivalent units (CEU), alongside various rolling and static cargoes. The company is actively investing in next-generation vessel technologies, including its cutting-edge Aurora-class newbuild program, designed to drive the maritime industry‘s transition toward low- and zero-carbon fuels.
Source: Höegh Autoliners