Vehicle transport shipping company Höegh Autoliners has unveiled the design of its next class of car carrier, the “Aurora” class ship.
Höegh Autoliners reports that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, which makes it possible to have the first vessel delivered by the end of 2023.
“With the future of cargos and zero carbon fuels in mind, the Aurora vessels is designed for a greener future. It is the most environmentally friendly car carrier ever built. The Aurora Class represents a big step on our path to a zero emissions future,” said Höegh Autoliners´ Chief Executive Officer, Andreas Enger.
The ship design will be able to carry 9,100 car equivalent units. The company adds that the new ship design will be the “world’s largest car carrier”.
Höegh Autoliners says that the ship will have strengthened deck and enhanced internal ramp systems and will be able to take electric vehicles on all decks along with heavier project cargo.
The Aurora class will be able to take multiple fuels including conventional fuels, biofuels and LNG. The company adds that it can be modified to take zero carbo fuels in the future, such as ammonia.
Hans Eivind Siewers, Segment Director Passenger Ships & RoRo at class society DNV said: “The Aurora design has the following notations: +1A, Car Carrier, MCDK, ICE C, E0, NAUT-OC, CLEAN DESIGN, BWM-T, TMON, BIS, COAT PSPC (B), GAS FUELLED, BATTERY (safety), F(C), Recyclable, SHORE POWER, Gas ready Ammonia (D, S, MEc, T), which makes it the first in the segment that is ready for operation on carbon neutral ammonia… DNV are proud to support Höegh Autoliners on their path to zero”.