Höegh Autoliners Secures Major 5-Year Contract with Asian Car Manufacturer

Norwegian-based Höegh Autoliners has recently signed a “significant” five-year agreement with a leading Asian automaker to transport vehicles from Asia to Europe.

The long-term deal, set to begin in April 2023, signifies a major milestone for the roll-on/roll-off shipping company as it continues to focus on cultivating enduring relationships with clients in its key trade networks.

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, expressed the company’s commitment to addressing the long-term transportation needs of major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). “This contract validates our strategy of establishing lasting relationships with customers in our core trade networks. Our top priority is to develop a sustainable contract backlog and allocate a significant portion of our capacity to strategic partnerships,” Enger said.

Enger also highlighted the introduction of the environmentally friendly Aurora Class vessels in the coming years, which will offer clients a transportation solution with the industry’s lowest carbon footprint.

Höegh Autoliners has made significant strides in decarbonization by constructing the most eco-friendly car carriers to date with the ammonia-ready Aurora Class. The company has contracted for the delivery of the first eight ships in the series by the second half of 2026, beginning in the second half of 2024, marking a pivotal move in Höegh Autoliners’ journey towards carbon neutrality.

The Aurora Class vessels will be the first in the Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) segment to receive DNV’s ammonia and methanol-ready notations, with MAN Energy Solutions providing the main engine and Kongsberg Maritime supplying the bridge system. At a capacity of 9,100 car-equivalent units (CEU), these ships will rank among the largest PCTCs globally.

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