On August 25, Höegh Autoliners announced via social media that it had placed an additional order with China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) for 6+4+4 9,100 CEU dual-fuel and zero-carbon-ready “Aurora” class car carriers, with delivery expected between 2029 and 2031. Including the 12 “Aurora”-class car carriers already delivered or under construction, Höegh Autoliners’ confirmed orders for this series have increased to 18 vessels. If the eight option vessels are exercised, the total will expand to 26, all to be built by CMHI.
It is understood that the shipbuilding partnership between the two parties began in 2022, when they signed a contract for the construction of 4+4+4 “Aurora”-class car carriers with a capacity of 9,100 vehicles; in April of the same year, the contract for the first four vessels took effect. In 2023, Höegh Autoliners placed another order with CMHI for four “Aurora”-class car carriers, with an additional four vessels as options, thereby expanding the order to 16 vessels.
The order size for Höegh Autoliners’ recently announced 26 “Aurora”-class car carriers (plus option vessels) does not appear to include the four additional option vessels added in 2023. According to Höegh Autoliners’ fleet data, eight “Aurora”-class car carriers are currently in service, with four more scheduled for delivery in 2027. The six most recently confirmed orders are set for delivery starting in 2029.
According to the Höegh Autoliners website, the first eight vessels in the “Aurora” class of car carriers are equipped with engines capable of running on LNG and low-sulfur fuel, with the potential for future conversion to ammonia fuel based on demand; the four additional vessels scheduled to join the fleet in 2027 will be ammonia-ready upon delivery, featuring the 7S60ME-LGIA liquid-gas-injection ammonia dual-fuel engine developed by Germany’s Everllence.
This vessel type has a maximum capacity of 9,100 vehicles and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 58% compared to conventional car carriers; it has obtained “Ammonia/Methanol Ready” certification from DNV, and its main engine is supplied by Everllence.
Commenting on the order, a representative from Höegh Autoliners stated: “The Aurora-class newbuilds demonstrate exceptional profitability potential, superior carbon emission performance, flexible cargo-carrying capabilities, and future-proof retrofitting options. Through this newbuild program, the company maintains competitive capacity costs, ensuring profitable operations even during periods of potential rate softening. Further expanding the fleet not only strengthens our ability to capture growth opportunities in the Asian market and meet evolving customer needs, but also provides greater strategic flexibility to support long-term fleet renewal and capitalize on commercial opportunities in the years ahead.”