The first of twelve multi-fuel Aurora-class vessels ordered by Norway-based shipping company Höegh Autoliners, Höegh Aurora, was named and delivered at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard in Jiangsu, China.

Höegh Aurora has a capacity of up to 9,100 cars. With its strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems, the vessel can carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks.

The vessel’s multi-fuel engine can run on marine gas oil (MGO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). With modifications, the vessel can transition to using future zero-carbon fuels including ammonia or methanol.  

According to the shipowner, the ship is the first in the PCTC segment to be able to operate on carbon-neutral ammonia. Höegh Aurora is setting new standards for sustainable deep-sea shipping, being the ‘world’s largest and most environmentally friendly PCTC’, Höegh Autoliners said. It will use electric shore power for emissions-free port operations.

The PCTC was floated out of the drydock in January this year, while the sea trials for the unit started this June.