Höegh Borealis calls Port of Barcelona: Aligned for a greener, more sustainable deep-sea shipping industry

The Höegh Borealis is part of the Aurora Class - the smartest, largest, and most environmentally advanced Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) ever built.

These vessels are designed to operate on zero-carbon fuels such as green ammonia and are equipped with cutting-edge digitalization and safety technologies. With a capacity of 9,100 CEU and readiness for shore power operations, the Höegh Borealis embodies the future of sustainable maritime transport.

This port call is more than a logistical event - it is a celebration of aligned climate ambitions. The Port of Barcelona’s strategic plan sets one of the most ambitious decarbonization targets in Europe: a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2017, surpassing the EU’s Green Deal and Fit for 55 goals.

Höegh Autoliners shares this urgency, aiming for zero emissions across its operations by 2040.

Accelerating the transition to a cleaner, better maritime future

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, will be present at the port call alongside key stakeholders, including Enric Brau, Logistics Director at SEAT S.A., the Spanish car manufacturer behind the SEAT and CUPRA brands, and a strategic customer of both the shipping company and the port. Reflecting on the significance of this moment, Mr. Enger states:

“Our Aurora Class vessels are not concepts; they are working, sailing answers to one of the most urgent challenges in our industry. The Höegh Borealis arriving in Barcelona is a powerful symbol of what’s possible when vision meets action. Together with the Port of Barcelona, we are not just talking about sustainability - we are delivering it. Tomorrow must be greener, more sustainable, and more ready for zero-emission fuels. This partnership shows that when ports and carriers unite around a common purpose, we can accelerate the transition to a cleaner, better maritime future.”

José Alberto Carbonell, President of the Port of Barcelona, states that“the arrival of this vessel from Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora series at the Port of Barcelona marks a step forward in our commitment to sustainability and the decarbonisation of port operations.

Höegh Autoliners is a strategic partner that shares our vision for the future, advocating for more efficient and environmentally friendly logistics. The inclusion of the Port of Barcelona in the regular calls of Höegh’s services, which connect major Asian ports with Europe, decisively strengthens the Shanghai-Barcelona logistics corridor for new vehicle traffic.

As is well known, we are building a green corridor with Shanghai between the two ports, and I have no doubt that Höegh Autoliners’ experience and commitment to sustainability can be key to ensuring maritime routes powered by green propulsion and efficient supply systems, such as our sustainable bunker hub, which offers services that few European ports can guarantee.”

LNG today, green ammonia from 2027 – if conditions are there

Built for a low-carbon future, the Aurora Class is the most technically advanced and environmentally friendly series of car carriers ever constructed.

All 12 vessels are designed from the keel up to transition to clean fuels, with the first eight powered by LNG via dual-fuel engines.

The vessels are estimated to deliver 58% lower emissions per transported car compared to the industry average. The first 8 vessels are dual-fuel “ammonia-ready” with reinforced decks and an integrated tank developed by TGE Marine at the heart of the design, allowing for straightforward conversion to be able to run on clean ammonia in the future.

The final four vessels in this Aurora newbuilding program, scheduled for delivery from 2027, are dual-fuel vessels able to operate on ammonia from day one.

The arrival of the Höegh Borealis reinforces the commitment of both Höegh Autoliners and the Port of Barcelona to lead the way in sustainable shipping. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility in shaping a zero future for global trade.

Höegh Autoliners’ commitment represents a step forward in reducing emissions from maritime transport and port activity in Barcelona. The vessels in the Aurora series incorporate the most advanced technology to reduce emissions and can already benefit from the services offered by the Port of Barcelona as part of its strategy to become a hub for green energy production and distribution: they are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG); they include Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems, which will allow them to connect in the future to the port’s electrical grid while docked; and they will become zero-emission vessels when they begin sailing with green ammonia starting in 2027.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Camilla Knappskog
Director of Communications, Höegh Autoliners
Email: Camilla.knappskog@hoegh.com
Phone: +47 92666156

About Höegh Autoliners

Höegh Autoliners is a global provider of ocean transportation solutions, committed to reducing its carbon footprint and offering sustainable shipping services. With a focus on high-quality ocean transportation and innovative solutions, Höegh Autoliners supports the decarbonisation of its customers' supply chains. Höegh Autoliners operates some of the world's greenest PCTCs, equipped with fuel-saving technologies. Additionally, the company has 12 firm orders for dual-fuel ammonia-ready Aurora Class vessels (six already in commercial operation) with the last 4 vessels in the series able to run directly from yard on Ammonia from 2027, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable deep-sea shipping. With a capacity of up to 9,100 cars, the Aurora Class vessels will be the world's largest and sustainable car carriers ever built.

The Aurora Class

Our Aurora Class are the largest, smartest and most environmentally friendly PCTC ever built, further accelerating Höegh Autoliners’ decarbonization efforts and setting a new standard for more sustainable deep-sea transportation. Being the first in the PCTC segment to receive DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, the Auroras are the first to be able to operate zero-carbon propulsion with the main engine designed by Everllence and the bridge system supplied by Kongsberg Maritime. Through partnerships with world-leading ammonia distributors, we are driving the industry towards a zero future and creating demand for sustainable fuels to accelerate the transition. All Auroras are built exactly alike.