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Höegh Autoliners commits to green fuel from North Ammonia

Image: Hoegh Autoliners Hoegh-Autoliners-Aurora Class
Höegh Autoliners and North Ammonia have established a partnership for the supply, distribution, delivery, and consumption of green ammonia.

The fuel under the partnership is likely to be supplied at locations within the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp range.

Höegh’s vehicle transport company plans to use the green ammonia as fuel for its eight 9,100 CEU Aurora class pure car truck carriers (PCTCs) currently under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co Ltd. Two ships are due for delivery every six months from the second half of 2024 and Höegh has options for four more vessels.

The PCTCs have DNV’s ammonia and methanol ready notation, with MAN engines and bridge control systems from Kongsberg. They are a key component in the shipping company’s commitment to power at least 5% of its deep-sea fleet with green ammonia by 2030, a part of its First Movers Coalition pledge. By that time, the company aims to consume at least 100,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.

North Ammonia, established in 2021 as a partnership between Oslo-listed Arendals Fossekompani ASA and Grieg Edge AS, has chosen the Eydehavn site at the Port of Arendal as the location for green ammonia production, storage, and export.

The site is well-placed for green ammonia shipments to Europe and has straightforward access to the grid and supplies of renewable energy. The plant is expected to start operating in 2027, with exports likely to be shipped to fuel supply locations in Europe by Grieg-owned ammonia bunkering vessels.

Andreas Enger, Höegh Autoliners’ CEO, said: “We are proud to partner with an ambitious Norwegian green ammonia supplier to transition towards a more sustainable future. This collaboration will not only reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint; it will also set a new standard for the industry as a whole and assist our partners and customers in decarbonising their supply chain. We are receiving positive feedback and strong signals form major car manufacturers in Europe about enabling lower-emission transport of cars from the manufacturing site to the customers.”

The company’s COO, Sebjørn Dahl, added: “The fact that green ammonia is becoming a totally viable maritime fuel is a game-changer for our industry. We believe it will set the standard for others to follow. I thought this development would be achievable in ten years’ time. But technology is moving faster than expected and the future is here. This partnership will ensure that we and our Norwegian industry suppliers will be well-positioned for seizing that very future.”