In a significant move towards greener maritime solutions, Höegh Autoliners has been awarded NOK 109.4 million in increased Enova funding. This funding is earmarked for its “Ammonia-fueled vessel program,” ensuring that four of the company’s Aurora Class vessels will be capable of running entirely on ammonia upon their delivery in 2027. With this latest allocation, Höegh Autoliners stands to receive a total of NOK 255.4 million from Enova.
This funding initiative is part of the largest-ever Enova funding round dedicated to supporting the transition to environmentally sustainable practices within the maritime industry. The primary objective is to establish functional value chains for ammonia and hydrogen for maritime purposes.
“At Höegh Autoliners, we take leadership by actively collaborating with a wide range of highly qualified and dedicated suppliers to make clean ammonia viable as a zero-emission marine fuel. We believe it is important for shipping companies to send a clear signal to the rest of the value chain that the technology can be realized in a short time and that there will be demand for carbon-neutral fuel. Almost all Höegh Autoliners vessels sail under the Norwegian flag and have significant Norwegian content from the Norwegian cluster. The support from Enova, together with our innovative multi-fuel vessel design, significantly helps derisking the choice of bringing the first zero-carbon vessels to our industry,” says CEO of Höegh Autoliners, Andreas Enger.
Höegh Autoliners has 12 Aurora Class vessels on order, designed to transport rolling cargo such as cars, agricultural machinery, and mining equipment. While the initial eight vessels will utilize LNG, the last four will run on ammonia from the outset, marking a groundbreaking shift towards emission-free shipping in their segment.
The transition to ammonia-powered vessels aligns with Höegh Autoliners’ overarching goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The company’s innovative approach includes securing access to the first ammonia 2-stroke engines delivered by MAN, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in sustainable shipping solutions.
“With this support, Norway as a maritime nation, is sending a strong sustainability message. This is important for the whole Norwegian maritime cluster and for our continuous efforts to lead the way to more sustainable deep-sea transportation and a greener maritime sector. It is visionary and a key component in the green maritime transition becoming a reality. Höegh Autoliners is grateful for Enova’s support, which we view as a strong endorsement of our newbuild project. We aim at a net zero emissions future by 2040 and our Aurora Class vessels, the largest and most environmentally friendly PCTC vessels ever built, will be the first zero-carbon vessels in our industry able to run on ammonia by 2027. To get to net zero, we must make clean ammonia, perfect for long-distance transportation with our two-stroke engines, viable as the future shipping fuel, and send a clear signal to the rest of the value chain that the technology can be developed and implemented in a short time. Public-private collaboration is crucial for advancing the maritime green transition, particularly in implementing mechanisms to lower the cost of sustainable fuels until they reach parity with fossil fuels in the years to come,” says COO of Höegh Autoliners, Sebjørn Dahl.
Höegh Autoliners is one of seven companies granted Enova funding for projects involving both hydrogen and ammonia vessels, reflecting Norway’s leadership in sustainable maritime practices. With shipping currently accounting for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, initiatives like Enova funding are instrumental in accelerating the transition towards zero-emission transport at sea.
“The competition was fierce, and there were many good projects that unfortunately did not quite make it. It bodes very well for the further investment and the next round of applications. With this and the other pioneering projects that are now being awarded, Norway is leading the way, and we see that the maritime industry is at a tipping point where the transition can accelerate from here,” says CEO of Enova, Nils Kristian Nakstad.
About Höegh Autoliners
Höegh Autoliners is a global provider of ocean transportation solutions committed to reducing its carbon footprint and offering sustainable shipping services. With a focus on high-quality ocean transportation and innovative solutions, Höegh Autoliners supports the decarbonization of its customers’ supply chains. Operating some of the world’s greenest Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC), equipped with fuel-saving technologies, the company is at the forefront of sustainable deep-sea shipping. With twelve firm orders for net-zero ammonia-ready Aurora Class vessels set to sail on Ammonia by 2027, Höegh Autoliners is leading the charge towards a greener maritime future.
Source Höegh Autoliners