World’s biggest and future ‘cleanest’ car carrier docks in Antwerp

The brand new Höegh Aurora is currently the world’s biggest auto carrier, capable of storing 9,100 cars on its fourteen decks. It has visited Zeebrugge’s car terminal and the Antwerp harbor before sailing further to Gothenburg.

The Höegh Aurora is making its maiden trip as it is the first launched of twelve Aurora Class ships on order. While running on LNG today, these will be one of the first to run on ‘green’ ammonia for the company to reach its 2040 net-zero emissions goal.

Converting to green ammonia

The Höegh Aurora is currently equipped with engines primed to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulfur oil. In the future, these can be converted to run on ammonia by retrofitting MAN’s ammonia 2-stroke engines.

Ammonia is an interesting alternative to green hydrogen for zero-emission engines. It has the advantage that it can be liquified at -33°C and transported in colossal ammonia tankers, similar to today’s fleet of liquified natural gas tankers.

Easier to transport

For hydrogen to become liquid, it has to be cooled in cryogenic conditions to minus 253°C, making it more difficult and expensive to handle and distribute. For instance, the Belgian shipowners’ family Saverys is also at the forefront of greening the world’s tanker business.

Exmar, a leading player in transporting liquefied gas products like LPG, butane, propane, and ammonia, has ordered the world’s first two gas tankers that can run on the ammonia they transport. Constructed at the South Korea Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, they will be propelled from 2025 on by dual-fuel ammonia engines from Swiss marine power company WinGD.

1,500 square meters of solar panels

Norwegian Höegh Autoliners has a rich ship ownership history, dating back to 1927 when Leif Høegh founded Leif Höegh & Co. The company transports around 1.6 million car equivalent units (ceu) as well as other rolling and static cargo yearly.

The first Höegh Aurora was delivered in Q2 2024 and commenced commercial operations in August 2024. It’s the first so-called multi-fuel and zero carbon ready ‘Pure Car and Truck Carrier’ (PCTC).

The 200-meter-long and 38-meter-wide ship has a draft of 8.9 meters. It has strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems to be able to carry heavier electric vehicles on all 14 decks. Equipped with 1,500 square meters of solar panels, the Höegh Aurora can reduce electricity production from generators by up to 35%.

By the first half of 2027, all twelve Auroras will be delivered and in operation.