Höegh Autoliners Orders Six More Aurora Class PCTCs from China Merchants

Höegh Autoliners has signed a contract with China Merchants Group (CMG) for six additional Aurora Class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), expanding the company’s planned Aurora Class fleet to 18 vessels.

The agreement was signed during a meeting in Naples attended by senior representatives from both companies, including Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group; Leif O. Høegh, Chair of Höegh Autoliners; and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

The six vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) and delivered between 2029 and 2031. The vessels will be dual-fuel LNG and designed to be ready for future zero-carbon fuels.

Aurora Class Designed for Alternative Fuels

The Aurora Class vessels have a capacity of up to 9,100 cars and are designed to reduce carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.

The vessels carry DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations and are designed for conversion to operate on future zero-carbon fuels.

Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors of Höegh Autoliners, said:

“For nearly 100 years, we have developed, adapted and led the way through major changes in shipping. It is in our DNA to keep moving and challenge what is possible. This signing continues that story. We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions.”

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, said:

“This is not just another vessel-building agreement. It is a statement about the future of deep-sea shipping and the role we intend to play in shaping it. The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future. By expanding the programme to 18 vessels, we are securing efficient, flexible and future-ready capacity while setting the pace towards zero-emission operations.”

China Merchants Expands Shipbuilding Cooperation

Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, said:

“Höegh Autoliners is a pioneer in international shipping and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. We would like to offer our congratulations in advance! Over the past century, Höegh Autoliners has achieved remarkable development and has grown into a leading company in the global RoRo shipping sector. We truly admire what you have accomplished.“

“China Merchants Group is also a pioneer in international shipping and in China’s national shipping industry. Over the 154 years since its founding, it has grown into an innovation-driven, internationally oriented conglomerate with leading competitiveness in port, shipping and logistics as well as shipbuilding. In particular, our subsidiary China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry has world-class PCTC manufacturing capabilities and product quality, ranking No. 1 globally in market share. The cooperation between our two sides is a strong alliance between two century-old enterprises.”

CMHI has already delivered Aurora Class vessels that have entered commercial operation and will construct all 18 vessels covered by the expanded programme.

Höegh Autoliners has also secured an option for four additional vessels under the same terms and reserved construction slots for another four. If fully exercised, these arrangements could increase the Aurora Class programme to as many as 26 vessels.

Höegh Autoliners Approaches 100th Anniversary

The latest order forms part of Höegh Autoliners’ fleet renewal programme ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2027.

The company is using the Aurora Class as part of its strategy to introduce vessels capable of operating with alternative and future zero-carbon fuels. The additional six vessels will be delivered over 2029–2031, extending the programme into the next decade.