Höegh Autoliners ordering world’s largest car carriers at CMHI

The first two vessels will be delivered in the second half of 2024 and the next two vessels in the first half of 2025. Höegh Autoliners also has options for another four plus four Aurora class vessels.

The Aurora class will have DNV’s ammonia and methanol ready notation. The vessel would be the first in the PCTC segment to operate on zero carbon ammonia. Together with the capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars, Aurora class will be the world’s largest and most sustainable car carriers. 

The vessel’s multi-fuel engine can run on marine gas oil and LNG. With modifications, the vessel can transition to use future zero carbon fuels including ammonia or methanol.  

Andreas Enger, Höegh Autoliners CEO commented, “We are excited to partner with China Merchants Heavy Industry and secure the delivery of the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly PCTC vessels already by 2024. The Aurora class represents the future of our business. It will further strengthen our service offering, accelerate our path to zero and put us in the forefront of sustainable shipping.”   

China Merchants Industry has been expanding its shipbuilding business over the past two years and it is now the largest PCTC builder in China.