Norwegian ocean car carrier operator Höegh Autoliners has commissioned Höegh Starlight, the seventh vessel in its Aurora class series, designed with the capability to transition to ammonia fuel in the future, the company said on social media.
Built at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) and classed by DNV, Höegh Starlight joins a 12-ship Aurora programme. The vessel is the seventh 9,100 CEU pure car and truck carrier delivered to the company within the last 18 months.
Aurora-class ships are developed with a pathway to low- and zero-carbon fuels. Like its sister vessels, Höegh Starlight can carry up to 9,100 vehicles across 14 decks, including strengthened decks and ramps suited for electric vehicles and heavy project cargo. The top deck features about 1,500 m² of solar panels, and the ship is equipped for shore power (cold ironing) connections.
The vessel measures just under 200 metres in length with a 37.6-metre beam. It is powered by a MAN B&W dual-fuel engine with ammonia-ready preparations, supported by a hybrid energy system combining batteries and solar generation.
Höegh describes the Aurora programme as central to its emissions-reduction strategy. A total of 12 vessels are on order: the first eight are fitted with dual-fuel LNG engines that can later be converted to ammonia, while the remaining four are planned for delivery in an ammonia configuration. The company estimates the Aurora design can cut CO₂ emissions per transported car by up to 58% compared with conventional PCTCs.
The Aurora series forms part of an investment programme of roughly $1.2 billion aimed at accelerating the move to alternative fuels. Based in Oslo, Höegh Autoliners operates a fleet of 38–40 vessels, calls at ports more than 2,000 times per year, and transported around 1.6 million CEU in 2024.
