Höegh Autoliners has signed a contract with China Merchants Group for six additional Aurora Class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), expanding its Aurora Class programme to 18 vessels.
The agreement was formally signed in Naples and marks another milestone in the company’s long-standing cooperation with China Merchants Group and China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu), which will construct the vessels.
The six dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031. Each vessel will have capacity to transport up to 9,100 cars and is designed to reduce carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.
The vessels will feature DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, enabling potential conversion to future zero-carbon fuels as the maritime industry transitions toward lower-emission propulsion technologies.
Höegh Autoliners said the latest order reinforces its strategy of investing in modern vessels designed to provide efficient and flexible deep-sea vehicle transport capacity.
The Aurora Class programme could eventually grow to 26 vessels, with options for four additional ships and construction slots reserved for another four.
The expanded programme comes as Höegh Autoliners prepares to mark its 100th anniversary in 2027, with the company continuing to focus on fleet renewal and lower-emission solutions for deep-sea shipping.