Höegh Autoliners Secures Long-Term Contracts for New Aurora-Class Vessels

Just days after taking delivery of its fourth multi-fuel Aurora-class pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Norwegian shipping company Höegh Autoliners has secured two long-term contracts with two undisclosed major international car producers for the transport of cars in the company’s key trade lanes.

One contract lasts until April 2029, while the other has a duration of two years with another two-year option. Both contracts are signed at rates and terms reflecting the current market level, as per the company.

Shipments under the new contracts are planned to commence in January and May 2025. Höegh Autoliners has not revealed which vessels will serve the contract.

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We are pleased to be chosen again as the preferred shipping partner for these two world-leading car producers, with whom we have a long-standing relationship. These contracts represent another important milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a solid contract backlog and support strategically important customers.”

The company’s commitment to sustainability was also highlighted by Enger, “Höegh Autoliners has taken a leading role in the deep-sea car transportation industry in terms of reducing our own, and our customers’ carbon footprint.”

To support its sustainability goals, Höegh Autoliners’ twelve Aurora-class units, the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly PCTCs, will be equipped with multi-fuel engines. The vessels are designed to run on LNG, low-sulfur oil, and eventually, ammonia.

The company recently took delivery of its latest newbuild vessel, Höegh Sunlight, and welcomed the 9,100 CEU Höegh Australis. With four Aurora-class vessels already in operation and eight more to join the fleet in the next 2-3 years, Höegh Autoliners is confident in offering customers one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solutions in the industry.

The new vessels signify a breakthrough in reaching Höegh Autoliners’ ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2040. Between 2008 and 2021, the company achieved an improved carbon intensity of 37% across its fleet.