Höegh Autoliners and Norwegian green energy provider North Ammonia on Thursday (11 May) announced a partnership for the supply of green ammonia as bunker fuel for the shipping firm’s ammonia-ready fleet.

The green ammonia is meant for Höegh Autoliners’ ammonia-ready dual-fuel Aurora class vessels – the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly Pure Car, Truck Carriers ever built. As part of Höegh Autoliners’ ambitious newbuilding programme, it ordered eight Auroras – expecting the delivery of two every six months starting from the second half of 2024.

The firms said the partnership covers the distribution, delivery, and consumption of green ammonia. 

The partnership will enable Höegh Autoliners to meet its commitment to powering at least 5% of its deep-sea operation with green ammonia by 2030 (part of our First Movers Coalition pledge) and its aim of consuming at least 100 000 metric tons of green ammonia within our fleet by that same year.

Designed to carry up to 9,100 cars, the Auroras are designed for future cargo as the vessels’ strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems enable electric vehicles on all decks and provide more flexibility for heavier project cargo. 

“Securing the supply and delivery of green ammonia from North Ammonia’s planned production facility in Arendal in southern Norway will help us source green ammonia safely, efficiently, and cost-competitively as a first mover and industry frontrunner sailing for sustainability in the maritime sector,” Höegh Autoliners said. 

Höegh Autoliners’ CEO, Andreas Enger, said: “We are proud to partner with an ambitious Norwegian green ammonia supplier to transition towards a more sustainable future. This collaboration will not only reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint.”

“It will also set a new standard for the industry as a whole and assist our partners and customers in decarbonizing their supply chain. We are receiving positive feedback and strong signals from major car manufacturers in Europe about enabling lower-emission transport of cars from the manufacturing site to the customers. We are excited to be at the forefront of the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.”

Höegh Autoliners added it is investing heavily in future technology, low emission fuels and newbuilds to further strengthen our service offering and meet our ambitious environmental targets and those of our customers. 

COO of Höegh Autoliners, Sebjørn Dahl, said: “The fact that green ammonia is becoming a totally viable maritime fuel is a game-changer for our industry. We believe it will set the standard for others to follow. I thought this development would be achievable in 10 years’ time.”

“But technology is moving faster than expected and the future is here. This partnership will ensure that we and our Norwegian industry suppliers will be well-positioned for seizing that very future. With this partnership, we are adding yet another stepping stone in designing the infrastructure of the future – with a green and sustainable focus.”

North Ammonia was established by Grieg Maritime Group and Arendals Fossekompani in 2021 to enable change in the maritime sector. The aim is to make green ammonia available at large scale and become Norway’s number one green energy provider for the maritime sector.

CEO of North Ammonia, Vidar Lundberg, said: “We are proud to support Höegh Autoliners’ ambitious sustainability initiative. In the maritime energy transition, we are dependent on first movers such as Höegh and this partnership demonstrates the growing demand for green ammonia in deep-sea shipping. As an infrastructure developer, we hope that this collaboration will inspire other companies in the industry to develop and order environmentally friendly vessels.”

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 18 May, 2023