Höegh Autoliners Orders Another Four Aurora-Class Car Carriers

Norway-based Höegh Autoliners has exercised its option to construct four additional Aurora-class car carriers, bringing the total number of vessels under the newbuilding program to twelve.

Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora-class car carriers, with a capacity of 9,100 cars, will be the largest and most eco-friendly in the world. They will be the first in the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) segment to be ammonia and methanol-ready.

All ships in the class will be constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co.

The latest order includes the option to convert one or more of the vessels to ammonia propulsion when the technology becomes available.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in July 2024 and continue with two additional deliveries every six months.

Höegh Autoliners plans to finance the new vessels through a combination of equity and debt, with committed financing expected to be in place before year end. The company says it has received significant interest from credit providers and is actively exploring various financing alternatives.

Höegh Autoliners has the option to build four more vessels and has reserved slots for an additional four vessels. In May, the company announced an agreement with North Ammonia on the supply, distribution, delivery, and consumption of green ammonia, a carbon-free fuel produced using renewable energy sources.

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