Höegh Autoliners adds ammonia-ready car carrier to fleet

Höegh Autoliners on Thursday (11 December) said it took delivery of its latest pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Höegh Starlight.

The delivery meant seven new Aurora Class vessels in total, each capable of carrying up to 9,100 cars. 

“With their multi-fuel engines ready for LNG (and convertible to zero-carbon ammonia), strengthened decks capable of carrying electric vehicles across all 14 decks, and infrastructure for shore-power and solar panels, these vessels aren’t just prepared for the future of maritime transport. They’re shaping it,” the company said in a social media post. 

“Although we’ve taken delivery six times in quick concession over the past one and a half year, this isn’t just another delivery. It is a clear signal to the industry, to our customers and our partners that sustainability isn’t an aspiration. It’s our standard. “

Being the first in the PCTC segment to receive DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations, the Auroras will also be the first to be ready to operate zero-carbon ammonia propulsion with the main engine delivered by MAN and the bridge system supplied by Kongsberg Maritime.

Höegh Autoliners ordered 12 Aurora vessels and the first eight Auroras will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil. These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. 

By 2027, the four last vessels of the series will be delivered, able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard.

The first Aurora was delivered in Q2 2024 and entered into commercial operations in August 2024.

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 15 December, 2025