Höegh Autoliners and BYD Energy Storage bring marine battery systems on board creating the greenest deep-sea car carrier ever

Aurora No. 12 will be the first deep-sea car carrier to combine all available green technology on board, with BYD Energy Storage batteries, a shaft generator and solar panels working as one integrated system and ammonia as fuel from the day it leaves the yard. With this milestone, Höegh Autoliners further advances its zero-emission roadmap for deep-sea transportation.

ANTALYA, 9 November 2026: Höegh Autoliners and BYD Energy Storage today signed a strategic and technical cooperation agreement to install BYD Energy Storage’s battery technology on board Aurora No. 12.

Combined with ammonia as fuel, a shaft generator, solar panels and the rest of the emission-reducing Aurora features, the batteries will make Aurora No. 12 the greenest and most fuel-efficient pure car and truck carrier ever built.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery and to commence commercial services in May 2028.

The agreement was signed at the China Pavilion at COP31 in the presence of Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, Liu Zhenmin, China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Li Gao, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Environment and head of the Chinese delegation.

“This shows that shipping can take the lead in the green transition. We are combining every green technology available on one vessel capable of running on ammonia from day one. Nobody has done that on a deep-sea car carrier before,” says Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

“Höegh marks its centenary next year. With this, we are positioning the company at the very front of the race to zero-emission operations, and Aurora No. 12 shows how we intend to get there. To succeed, we need partners who are just as ambitious as us, daring to think far ahead. BYD Energy Storage shares our belief that new technology should transform the solutions we have today, and together we are pushing towards green transport of the world’s goods,” says Enger.

Ammonia produces no CO₂ when burned, but green ammonia is an expensive fuel compared with conventional marine fuels such as very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The integrated system of batteries, shaft generator and solar panels opens for smarter use of energy onboard, cutting both emissions and fuel costs. It is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about one thousand metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.

“We want to push ourselves technologically and learn what green technology can achieve when it is

combined at its best. By working with BYD Energy Storage on state-of-the-art battery technology, we learn from each

other and strengthen a long-term partnership for developing new technology in the maritime industry,” says Sebjørn Dahl, [COO] of Höegh Autoliners.

“BYD Energy Storage is honored to partner with Höegh Autoliners in driving the low-carbon transition of ocean-going vessels. We look forward to this containerized battery solution delivering practical, scalable industrial solutions for global shipping decarbonization,” said Yin Xueqin, General Manager of BYD Energy Storage and New Application Battery Division.

The project combines Höegh Autoliners’ extensive experience in the maritime industry with BYD Energy Storage’s battery technology.

Aurora No. 12 is part of the Aurora class, the smartest and most environmentally friendly car carriers ever built. The vessels are zero-carbon-ready and carry DNV ammonia and methanol ready notation.

Each can carry up to 9,100 cars, and the class reduces carbon emissions by up to 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.

The bridge system is supplied by Kongsberg Maritime and the main engine by Everllence. The Norwegian classification society DNV and the vessel design company Deltamarin are central partners, together with China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI), building the entire fleet of Aurora vessels.

After an order for six additional vessels in August 2026, the programme totals 18 vessels. Options and slot reservations could take it to 26 vessels.

About Höegh Autoliners

Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of roll-on/roll-off transportation services, carrying cars, high and heavy machinery and breakbulk cargo across major trade routes worldwide.

Each year, Höegh Autoliners transport around 1.6 million car equivalent units (CEU) as well as other rolling and static cargo. The company is investing in new vessel technologies, including its Aurora-class newbuild programme, designed to support the transition to future low- and zero-carbon fuels, ready to sail net zero from 2027.

About BYD Energy Storage

Founded in 1994, BYD Energy Storage is a high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life.

After more than 31 years of rapid growth, BYD Energy Storage has played a significant role in industries related to electronics, auto, renewable energy and rail transit.

With a focus on energy acquisition, storage, and application, BYD Energy Storage offers comprehensive zero-emission new energy solutions.

Contact

Camilla Knappskog, Director of Communications, Höegh Autoliners, +47 926 66 156

Yuwen Xie, Senior Marketing Specialist, BYD Energy Storage, xie.yuwen1@byd.com