The Höegh Aurora has a capacity of up to 9,100 cars and can carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks. In addition, the 1500 square meters of solar panels on the top deck reduce electricity production from the generators by up to 30-35 percent, Höegh Autoliners stated. The vessel will also be prepared to embrace electric shore power for emissions-free port operations.
The Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonisation of Global Shipping encourages the collaboration of ports, shipping companies, shipbuilders, financial institutions, and producers of sustainable green shipping fuels based on renewable energies (green fuels) from industrialised, emerging, and developing countries to establish green shipping corridors.
The primary objectives of this declaration are to:
- Foster intensive cooperation between ports, shipping companies, shipbuilders, financial institutions and green fuel producers.
- Instigate and promote the establishment of green shipping corridors, that utilise sustainable green fuels and use Onshore Power Supply while at berth.
- Promote technological innovation and the adoption of best practices for sustainable maritime operations.
- Encourage governments to facilitate both the development of an effective and workable global regulatory regime in this area and the timely production and delivery to the marine market of the necessary fuels.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building among all stakeholders involved
After initially having bunkered LNG in Shanghai, the Höegh Aurora loaded cargo in Japan and South Korea before heading to Europe, calling ports in Belgium, France, UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands before Hamburg and Germany.
Höegh Autoliners claim that the Aurora Class vessels will be cutting carbon emissions per car transported by up to 58 percent from the current industry average. According to the company, nearly all carbon emissions will be eliminated in 2027 when the first Aurora will be powered entirely by clean ammonia. However, as the ammonia engines are somewhat delayed it seems that vessels 9, 10 and 11 will be delivered in 2027 and vessel number 12 in the first half of 2028 Höegh Autoliners informs.
