Höegh Autoliners has ordered six additional dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready Aurora class vessels from China Merchants Heavy Industry, scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031. This expansion brings its firm Aurora-class newbuilding program to 18 vessels, with additional options and slot reservations that could scale the fleet up to 26 ships. Equipped with DNV ammonia and methanol-ready notations and a 9,100-car capacity, the newbuilds cut carbon emissions by up to 58% compared to conventional PCTCs while strengthening the company’s green leadership.
Oslo, Norway | August 26, 2026 – Höegh Autoliners ASA has officially announced its decision to expand its cutting-edge newbuilding program by ordering six additional dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready Aurora class vessels. Scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031, this latest investment expands the company’s total firm Aurora-class newbuilding program to eighteen vessels.
All six new ships will be constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI), cementing a long-standing partnership built on serial construction economics, strong shipyard relations, and proven vessel design iterations.
Expanding Scale and Strategic Options
The company secured highly attractive financial and contractual terms for the new batch, benefiting from scale efficiencies and favorable market economics. Furthermore, Höegh Autoliners has locked in flexible expansion options:
- Four Option Vessels: An option to build four additional vessels under the exact same terms, which can be exercised within six months.
- Four Slot Reservations: Reserved building slots for another four vessels held exclusively for the company, with formal notice required on or before December 31, 2027.
This multi-tiered framework gives Höegh Autoliners the strategic flexibility to accelerate its green fleet renewal program and scale the total Aurora program up to twenty-six vessels (including the twelve units already delivered or previously on order).
State-of-the-Art Specifications & Cutting-Edge Technology
Representing the pinnacle of sustainable deep-sea shipping, the Aurora class design sets an unmatched benchmark for environmental performance:
- Massive Capacity: Each vessel boasts a massive capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars.
- Emissions Reduction: The class reduces carbon emissions by up to 58% compared to conventional Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs).
- Class Notations & Future-Proofing: The newbuilds feature DNV’s ammonia and methanol ready notations, retaining full future conversion flexibility for zero-carbon ammonia propulsion.
- Core Systems: Main engines will be provided by Everllence (featuring high-efficiency dual-fuel mechanics), while advanced bridge systems will be supplied by Kongsberg Maritime.
The Aurora Class
Commenting on the landmark agreement, Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, stated “The Aurora class newbuilds have demonstrated very strong earnings potential, carbon performance, cargo flexibility and future-proof conversion capability. Through our newbuild program, we secure capacity costs at a competitive level, supporting profitable operations even during potential periods of lower freight rates.“
“Further expanding our fleet strengthens our ability to capture growth in the Asian market and meet evolving customer demand, while giving us greater strategic flexibility, supporting long-term fleet renewal and positioning us to capture commercial opportunities in the years ahead.” Added Andreas.
The expansion fully anchors the company’s green leadership position, ensuring that capacity growth runs parallel with strict long-term decarbonization milestones.
About Höegh Autoliners
Höegh Autoliners operates 11 trade routes in global trade systems, managing about 3,000 port calls annually. Its ocean services comprise 10 deep-sea trades and a shortsea Caribbean service, utilizing a versatile core fleet of around 40+ vessels. Designed for maximum operational flexibility, the fleet caters to a wide spectrum of cargo, from global vehicle manufacturers and producers of high-and-heavy construction equipment to rolling and non-rolling stock, alongside a dominant market share in carrying second-hand vehicles.
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway (where the company was founded in 1927), Höegh Autoliners maintains a close-to-market approach via 16 local offices worldwide supported by a dedicated network of agencies. Guided by a steadfast commitment to economic growth, social responsibility, and sustainable development, the carrier continuously integrates energy-efficient solutions to minimize its environmental footprint.
Source: Höegh Autoliners