United European Car Carriers (UECC) is set to bolster its fleet with the addition of an ex-Höegh car carrier, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy. The move comes as UECC, a leading sustainable European shortsea RoRo operator, responds to growing customer demand by enhancing its sailing capacity and extending its port calls along its key North-South network.
The latest acquisition follows Wallenius Lines, UECC’s joint owner, purchasing the 2006-built Höegh Chiba from Höegh Autoliners. Renamed Auto Way, the vessel is slated to join UECC’s fleet on a long-term charter, with its deployment on the North-South trade route scheduled to commence at the end of October this year.
According to UECC’s COO Per Christian Mørk, the company has successfully secured new contractual volumes from both existing and new clients, necessitating an increased capacity on this crucial route. Mørk notes, “The addition of another vessel will enable us to increase both cargo capacity and sailing frequency, as well as expand this network with additional ports in cooperation with our customers to provide tailor-made services.”
The Auto Way will enable UECC to enhance its operations on the North-South route, which is the largest trading loop within its network. This route currently features four ships operating on an eight-day sailing frequency, covering eight ports across Germany, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. With the integration of the Auto Way, the number of vessels on this route will rise to five, extending the service to ten ports and improving operational regularity.
The Auto Way boasts a capacity of 6,000 CEU and is equipped with a versatile deck configuration that allows for the transportation of both breakbulk cargo and various rolling HH equipment. This flexibility is expected to provide significant benefits to UECC’s customers.
“By adding a vessel, we are demonstrating our clear ambition to improve our services to current and future partners,” says Mørk. “Furthermore, we see future growth potential based on market requirements, both in the shorter and longer term.”
Wallenius Lines’ CEO Erik Nøklebye emphasizes that the acquisition aligns with their strategy of actively engaging in the shipping segment through innovation, design, and investment in both used and new tonnage. Nøklebye adds, “This purchase is part of our commitment to supporting our partner companies and advancing the industry through our involvement.”
The addition of the Auto Way brings UECC’s fleet to a total of 14 owned and chartered units. The company is also planning further fleet expansion later this year to meet the growing market demand for sustainable maritime transport. This follows earlier investments in five dual-fuel/multi-fuel LNG and battery hybrid newbuilds.
UECC is committed to operating the Auto Way with a significant proportion of biofuels, continuing its efforts to minimize environmental impact and reduce costs for customers by addressing Scope 3 emissions in light of new green regulations, including the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime.
In addition to pioneering biofuels, UECC recently launched its Sail for Change programme, aimed at promoting the use of zero-carbon bioLNG across its five LNG dual-fuel/multi-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs). This initiative, supported by major European vehicle manufacturers, underscores UECC’s dedication to exceeding environmental requirements and improving operational sustainability.
Mørk concludes, “We aim to go beyond compliance and exceed environmental requirements. Our ambition is to continually enhance the sustainability of our operations while demonstrating this to the market through proactive fleet investments and alternative fuels.” He adds, “We at UECC are currently working on several ground-breaking projects and, when the time comes, we expect our initiatives will be well-received by the industry.”
About UECC
United European Car Carriers (UECC) is a leading provider of sustainable short sea RoRo transportation in Europe. With a fleet of Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), UECC is dedicated to delivering logistics solutions that prioritize sustainability. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact through initiatives such as the Sail for Change program, leading the way in the use of alternative fuels and decarbonizing the maritime logistics sector.
Source United European Car Carriers