Höegh Autoliners has signed a contract with China Merchants Group for six additional Aurora Class vessels, taking its firm newbuilding programme to 18 ships. The 9,100-car vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) and delivered between 2029 and 2031. The agreement further expands a fleet renewal programme that has already seen Aurora Class vessels enter commercial operation. Höegh Autoliners orders six more Aurora class vessels Six more vessels join Aurora Class programme The additional ships will be equipped with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, while their design allows for conversion to future zero-carbon fuels. They also carry DNV ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations. Höegh Autoliners said the Aurora Class can reduce carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58% compared with conventional PCTCs. “The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future,” said Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners. “By expanding the programme to 18 vessels, we are securing efficient, flexible and future-ready capacity while setting the pace towards zero-emission operations.” China Merchants Heavy Industry has already delivered Aurora Class vessels to Höegh Autoliners and will build all 18 ships in the expanded programme. Höegh retains options for further expansion The programme could eventually grow beyond the 18 vessels now confirmed. Höegh Autoliners has secured options for four additional ships on the same terms and reserved construction slots for another four. This gives the company the flexibility to expand its Aurora Class programme to as many as 26 vessels. Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Höegh Autoliners, said the latest contract represents an investment in vessels that will remain part of the company’s fleet for decades. “We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions,” he said. The latest agreement comes ahead of Höegh Autoli