Planet

• Reduce Annual Efficiency ratio (AER) to reach a reduction of 30% from 2019 to 2030 and net zero by 2040
• Partner with customers to create and grow greener products and services
• Improve our asset life cycle management based on our responsible business philosophy

Read more about our goals and targets on our strategy and governance page.

Höegh Autoliners has high sustainability ambitions and is on a clear path to net zero, and our main emission challenge as a shipping company is emissions to air. To meet this challenge, we commit to using only compliant fuel and focus our efforts on reducing our vessels' fuel consumption. Höegh Autoliners focuses both on more ambitious fuel savings programs and on hull/machinery modifications.

On November 1st, 2022, amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI entered into force, making it mandatory from January 1st, 2023 to calculate each vessel's annual operational carbon intensity indicator (CII) and its CII rating. Based on a ship’s CII, its carbon intensity will be rated A, B, C, D or E (where A is the best).

The rating indicates a major superior, minor superior, moderate, minor inferior, or inferior performance level. A ship rated D for three consecutive years, or E for one year, will have to submit a corrective action plan to show how the required index of C or above will be achieved. We are proud to have the best CII rating in the PCTC segment with about half of the Group’s vessels having received a Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating of A-B in 2022.

All of our vessels built after 2010 have an engine configuration that can be converted to Methanol in the future. We continue our work on optimizing the fleet to further improve the CII score in the future. All of Höegh Autoliners’ six Horizon class vessels have achieved an A CII rating as they are 40% more efficient than a standard PCTC vessel.

Höegh Autoliners fleet wide KPI for fuel efficiency is aligned with IMO’s and Poseidon Principles standard CII and Annual efficiency ratio (AER). The weighted average AER/CII managed by HTM and our US flag fleet was 5,13 g CO2/ GT*Nm, which is an improvement of 2,5% compared to 2021.

Our target is to improve efficiency by 2% by the end of 2023 and 8% by the end of 2026. To further substantiate our vision to reach net zero operations by 2040, we have adopted a target of a reduction of our AER of more than 30% by 2030 (30 by 30) compared to our 2019 levels to strengthen our position as the leading green PCTC operator. This will put us in a position to partner with sustainability-focused OEMs and continue to develop commercially attractive green propositions.

We have developed a detailed plan for meeting the AER targets in 2025 and 2030. Improved efficiency, use of low-carbon fuels and fleet renewal will enable Höegh Autoliners to meet or exceed the targets set by IMO and EU.

During 2022, Höegh Autoliners has signed contracts for twelve multi-fuel and zero carbon ready Aurora class, which will have DNV’s ammonia and methanol ready notations. The vessels will be delivered from the end of 2024 and onwards.

The class will be the first in the PCTC segment ready to operate on zero-carbon ammonia. Together with the capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars, the industry-leading Aurora class will be the world’s largest and most sustainable car carriers.

With a goal to be at the forefront of environmental protection at sea, minimising the spread of invasive species through ballast water is essential for Höegh Autoliners. 

Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) have been incorporated in the company's new shipbuilding (Newbuilding) projects since 2014, minimising the risk of spreading harmful organisms between ocean regions.

Only BWTS with the highest rating, and certified by both the IMO and USCG are selected for the Höegh Autoliners vessels. In 2017, well ahead of the IMO rules entering into force, Höegh Autoliners started retrofitting BWTS onboard existing vessels (built before 2014). At the end of 2022, BWTS was installed on all of our vessels.

In our aim to protect life below sea, we also work to minimise the amount of waste oil, sludge and bilge water produced. The sludge and bilge are cleaned on board using state-of-the-art equipment. To monitor the discharge from the oily water separator, all our vessels have a White box system installed. The White box system is an automatic system that analyses the water content from the separator and if it is found to contain more residue than allowed, it will automatically flow it back to the bilge tank and prevent discharge. By controlling and separating the residue from the water, we ensure that we have only solid waste for disposal onshore and clean spill water. The system is connected to the vessel GPS, preventing the release of spill water inside restricted areas and has a tracking log of all operations to provide verification of discharge.

In Höegh Autoliners we operate a zero garbage overboard principle. This means no garbage other than food waste is to be discharged into the sea. All garbage produced on board is segregated in separate containers, and only disposed of at approved shore facilities. Our vessels also apply onboard incineration systems.

With the shipping industry accounting for almost 90% of global trade, ships are a critical factor in transferring organisms from different geographical areas. The importance of biosecurity measures is therefore significant. The BMSB is not native to Oceania and when it enters its fauna, it causes severe damage to fruit and vegetable crops. While the bug is a known agricultural pest in Asia and the US, they have not yet spread to Oceania. This has been the result of strict biosecurity enforcement measures introduced by the Australian and New Zealand authorities to combat the bug in the region and Höegh Autoliners takes great care to ensure that BMSB is not carried to Australia and New Zealand and appreciate all efforts taken by our customers to reduce risk related to this.