Höegh Sunrise named in Japan as Aurora Class redefines deep-sea shipping standards

Today, shipping accounts for approximately 3% of global emissions, with 90% of those emissions originating from deep-sea transportation. There is no time to waste. The world needs the shipping industry to act – and to change.

The Aurora Class represents exactly that: a much-needed transformation and a concrete step toward zero emissions proving the technological level possible for our industry.

Today, the Höegh Sunrise, the fifth vessel in the Aurora Class, was officially named during a remarkable ceremony at Omaezaki Port in Shizuoka, Japan.

With a capacity of 9,100 CEUs, the Höegh Sunrise and her sister vessels are the largest and most environmentally friendly car carriers ever constructed.

They are true marvels of modern engineering and a testament to our vision of a more sustainable future. At Höegh Autoliners, our goal is to achieve zero-emission operations by 2040. Through the Aurora Class – part of our groundbreaking newbuild program – we are reshaping the future of deep-sea shipping.

Höegh Autoliners CEO, Andreas Enger, says:

“The naming of our fifth vessel, Höegh Sunrise, marks a significant milestone for us and highlights the strength of the maritime cluster we work closely with on a daily basis. With Höegh Sunrise and the Aurora Class newbuilding program, we are leading the way in addressing emissions in a hard-to-abate sector. We are setting new standards for sustainable deep-sea transportation and taking a major step toward our 2040 zero-emissions goal. As the largest and most environmentally friendly PCTCs ever built, the Aurora Class vessels represent the transformation our segment needs.”

Höegh Autoliners COO, Sebjørn Dahl, adds:

“Never in our nearly 100-year history have we built so many, such large, such technically advanced, and such environmentally friendly vessels simultaneously and at this pace. We are transforming the deep-sea industry faster than anyone thought possible just a few years ago. We are sailing for sustainability and for a better, greener future.”

LNG now, ammonia in 2027

On her journey from China Merchants Heavy Industry’s (CMHI) Jiangsu yard to Japan, the Höegh Sunrise bunkered LNG fuel in Shanghai.

Already today, she and the other commercially active Aurora Class vessels are reducing carbon emissions by 58% per transported car compared to the current industry average.

By 2027, when the first Aurora vessel is ready to be powered by clean ammonia directly from the yard , virtually all carbon emissions can be eliminated.

As proudly displayed on the side of this beautiful vessel, the Höegh Sunrise-like all Aurora Class vessels – can connect to the power grid while docked, allowing all auxiliary engines to be shut down and enabling zero-emission cargo operations in port.

Meeting the needs of carbon-conscious customers

These vessels meet the expectations of our growing number of carbon-conscious customers who seek emission reductions and sustainable transportation solutions. With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners sends a strong demand signal for ammonia as a viable, zero-carbon maritime fuel.

We have already partnered with several of the world’s leading ammonia producers to secure the supply and use of green ammonia – including Sumitomo Corporation, Fortescue, Yara Clean Ammonia, Norwegian North Ammonia, and others.

The Aurora Class is equipped with the latest and most advanced maritime technologies, including state-of-the-art safety and digitalization systems.

Designed for a sustainable future – and future cargo

With a capacity of up to 9,100 cars, and featuring reinforced decks and enhanced internal ramp systems, these vessels can carry electric vehicles on all it's 14 decks.

All Aurora Class vessels are certified with DNV’s “ammonia ready” and “methanol ready” notations – making them the first in the PCTC segment capable of operating on carbon-neutral ammonia.

Höegh Autoliners expect the delivery of two Aurora Class vessels every six months until H1 2027, taking the total number of Aurora Class vessels to 12.

All are being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), classed by DNV and registered under the Norwegian flag, «NIS».

For more information, please contact:

Camilla Knappskog

Head of communications

Email: Camilla.knappskog@hoegh.com

Phone: +47 92666156

The Aurora Class

Our Aurora Class will be the largest 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 will also be the first to be ready to operate zero-carbon ammonia propulsion with the main engine designed by MAN and the bridge system supplied by Kongsberg Maritime. Through partnerships with world-leading ammonia distributors, we are driving the industry towards a net zero future and creating demand for sustainable fuels to accelerate the transition. We have 12 Aurora vessels on order - and the possibility of another four. All contracted with the Norwegian flag and DNV-class. The first Vessel was delivered in July 2024 and will be in commercial operation beginning of August 2024By the first half of 2027, all twelve Auroras will be delivered and in operation, equipped with engines primed to run on ammonia. Notably, we have secured access to MAN's groundbreaking ammonia 2-stroke engines for installation on the vessels. All Auroras are built exactly alike.

HÖEGH SUNRISE

YEAR BUILT 2024

DWT 25 200

GT 83 687

CARGO CAPACITY 9100 CEU

FLAG NORWEGIAN

MAX DECK HEIGHT 6.5 M

MAX DOOR WIDTH 19 M

MAX RAMP 375 MT

LENGTH OVER ALL 199.90 M

BREADTH (MLD) 37.8 M