A naming ceremony was held at the port of Omaezaki, Japan, for Höegh Sunrise, the latest eco-friendly car carrier built for Norwegian shipping company Höegh Autoliners. This is the fifth vessel in the Aurora series — modern PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Höegh Sunrise was built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in China and was fueled with LNG in Shanghai prior to its voyage to Japan. The vessel features the following specifications: length — 199.9 meters, beam — 37.8 meters, deadweight — 25,200 tons, cargo capacity — 9,100 CEU, and gross tonnage — 83,687 tons. It is registered under the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS).
The vessel is equipped for shore power connection while in port and holds a DNV class notation of “Ammonia/Methanol-Ready,” allowing for potential future conversion to ammonia or methanol fuel.
According to its agreement with the shipyard, Höegh Autoliners plans to take delivery of two Aurora-class vessels every six months through mid-2027. A total of 12 such advanced, environmentally friendly car carriers will join the company’s fleet.
