A few days ago, Höegh Autoliners, a Norwegian car carrier operator, announced that its newbuilding project for 6+4+4 9,100 CEU dual-fuel and zero-carbon-ready “Aurora”-class PCTCs has officially been finalized. With this announcement, the confirmed order book for the “Aurora”-class PCTCs placed by the shipowner has increased to 18 vessels. Including 8 options, the total order volume stands at 26 vessels, all of which will be built by China Merchants Group.
On September 22, Höegh Autoliners announced on its official website that the company had formally signed a contract with China Merchants Group during a high-level meeting held in Naples for the construction of 6+4+4 “Aurora”-class PCTCs with a capacity of 9,100 vehicles. The vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) and are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031.
The contract was signed during a high-level meeting in Naples attended by senior representatives from both companies, including Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group. Chair of Höegh Autoliners, Leif O. Høegh, and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.
According to reports, Höegh Autoliners and China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) initially signed a contract in 2022 for the construction of the first batch of 4+4+4 “Aurora”-class PCTCs, each capable of carrying 9,100 vehicles. This order marked the beginning of the two companies’ shipbuilding partnership. In April of that same year, the first batch of four optional vessels was exercised; in 2023, four more PCTCs were exercised, thereby expanding the order to a total of 12 vessels.
With the signing of the latest shipbuilding contract, the confirmed order book for Höegh Autoliners’ “Aurora” class PCTCs has increased to 18 vessels. If all eight options are exercised, the total order volume will expand to 26 vessels, all to be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu).
According to Höegh Autoliners’ official website, the first eight “Aurora” class vessels are equipped with LNG dual-fuel engines and can be retrofitted to run on ammonia in the future as needed; the subsequent four vessels (scheduled for delivery in 2027) will be equipped with Everllence 7S60ME-LGIA ammonia dual-fuel engines and will be capable of running on ammonia upon delivery.
Höegh Autoliners stated that the six newly ordered “Aurora”-class vessels continue to feature LNG dual-fuel and zero-carbon-ready designs, reflecting Lino Shipping’s commitment to transitioning to zero-emission ocean shipping.
The “Aurora-class” vessels boast a maximum capacity of 9,100 vehicles and can reduce carbon emissions per vehicle transported by up to 58% compared to conventional car carriers; they have secured “Ammonia/Methanol Ready” certification from DNV and are designed for future retrofitting to utilize zero-carbon fuels. Through optimized deck and internal ramp systems, all 14 decks are capable of carrying electric vehicles while offering greater flexibility for loading heavy project cargo. Additionally, the top deck is equipped with 1,500 square meters of solar panels and features provisions for shore power connection to enable zero-emission port operations.
Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors of Höegh Autoliners, said:“For nearly 100 years, we have developed, adapted and led the way through major changes in shipping. It is in our DNA to keep moving and challenge what is possible. This signing continues that story. We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions.”
Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, said:“This is not just another vessel-building agreement. It is a statement about the future of deep-sea shipping and the role we intend to play in shaping it. The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future. By expanding the programme to 18 vessels, we are securing efficient, flexible and future-ready capacity while setting the pace towards zero-emission operations.”
Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, said: “Höegh Autoliners is a pioneer in international shipping and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. We would like to offer our congratulations in advance! Over the past century, Höegh Autoliners has achieved remarkable development and has grown into a leading company in the global RoRo shipping sector.“
“China Merchants Group is also a pioneer in international shipping and in China’s national shipping industry. Over the 154 years since its founding, it has grown into an innovation-driven, internationally oriented conglomerate with leading competitiveness in port, shipping and logistics as well as shipbuilding. In particular, our subsidiary China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry has world-class PCTC manufacturing capabilities and product quality, ranking No. 1 globally in market share. The cooperation between our two sides is a strong alliance between two century-old enterprises.”