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Höegh Autoliners is expanding its Aurora class newbuilding program with an order for six additional vessels, taking the series to 18 ships with the potential to grow to as many as 26.
The Norwegian car carrier operator said the six dual-fuel LNG, zero-carbon-ready vessels will be delivered between 2029 and 2031. Like the rest of the Aurora fleet, they will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. in China.
Höegh Autoliners said it secured "highly attractive" terms for the repeat order, citing its relationship with the shipyard, economies of scale and favorable construction economics.
The company also secured options for four more vessels on the same terms, exercisable within six months, along with reservations for another four construction slots at the yard through the end of 2027.
If all of those are taken up, the Aurora program could eventually reach 26 vessels.
"The Aurora class newbuilds have demonstrated very strong earnings potential, carbon performance, cargo flexibility and future-proof conversion capability," said Höegh Autoliners CEO Andreas Enger.
Enger said the additional ships would give the company greater capacity to pursue growth in Asia while locking in competitive vessel costs as protection against potential periods of weaker 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," he said.
The Aurora class is designed to carry up to 9,100 cars, making the ships among the world's largest pure car and truck carriers. Höegh Autoliners says the vessels can reduce carbon emissions per car transported by as much as 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.
The ships are initially capable of operating on LNG and conventional fuels while retaining the ability to transition to lower- and zero-carbon fuels. The new vessels will carry DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations and retain the ability to be converted for ammonia propulsion in the future.
Everllence will supply the main engines, while Kongsberg Maritime will provide the bridge systems.
Höegh Autoliners launched the first vessel in the series, Höegh Aurora, in 2024 as part of a fleet renewal program aimed at reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.
The class was designed from the outset with alternative fuels in mind. The vessels also feature electric shore-power capability and extensive solar installations, while their internal ramp systems allow electric vehicles to be carried across all 14 decks.
The latest order significantly extends a program that originally called for 12 Aurora class vessels. With the six new firm orders, Höegh Autoliners now has 18 ships delivered or on order, with options and reserved construction slots providing a pathway to another eight.
Höegh Autoliners has previously said it intends to power at least 5% of its deep-sea operations with green ammonia by 2030 as part of its commitment to the First Movers Coalition.
