Leif O. Høegh: “Sustainability is our strategy”

Höegh Autoliners has always been a pioneer, innovating and adapting through almost 100 years of maritime experience.

Today, the auto shipping industry is once again changing. Supply and demand for zero-emission vehicles is increasing, and Chair of Höegh Autoliners Leif O. Høegh has no doubt that further investment in a zero emission future is both the responsible thing to do - and what the customers demand.

Höegh Autoliners has focussed on sustainability for years. And the company continues to work closely with partners to find new innovative and green solutions.

“As an inherent business value, sustainability has been and is at the core of Höegh Autoliners’ operations. We have a solid history of emission cuts and long-term efforts to combat climate change and is on a clear path towards a zero emissions future. For us, it is not about compliance, but sustainable leadership,” Leif O. Høegh says and continues:

“Höegh Autoliners is at the forefront of sustainable deep sea RoRo shipping, operating the most fuel-efficient fleet in the segment. Between 2008–2021, we achieved an improved carbon intensity of 37% across our fleet and we are already in a good position to meeting the IMO 2030 target of 40% reduction.”

Already now, Höegh Autoliners operates some of the world’s most efficient Pure Car and truck Carriers. Our six Horizon class vessels are 40% more efficient than a standard PCTC. In 2021 Höegh Autoliners completed its first carbon-neutral voyage when Höegh Trigger ran on advanced biofuels meeting the highest sustainability standards from Europe to South Africa, once again accelerating our decarbonisation efforts.

Also, Höegh Autoliners is a proud signatory of Getting to Zero Coalition’s Call to Action to accelerate the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. The Call to Action includes three demands to enable this: commit to decarbonising international shipping by 2050; support industrial scale zero emission shipping projects through national action; and deliver policy measures that will make zero emission shipping the default choice by 2030.

The largest and most environmentally friendly car carriers

The adoption by the International Maritime Organization of a reduction of GHG by at least 50% by 2050 has sent a strong signal to the industry and one which Höegh Autoliners has made an ambitious move towards.

“We want to lead the way towards net zero emissions and have made significant headway with our transformational green fleet renewal strategy. Our zero carbon ready Aurora class vessels will have DNVs “ammonia ready” and “methanol ready” notations, making the vessels the first in the segment to be ready to operate on zero carbon ammonia,” says Leif O. Høegh.

The vessel’s design is planned to include 1,500 square meters of solar panels. In addition, the Aurora will be ready to receive electric shore power for zero emission operations while the vessel is at port.

By being the largest (capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars) and most environmentally friendly car carriers ever to be built, our Aurora new building program is a definitive step in our commitment to a net zero emissions future by 2040.

The Aurora class has been designed with flexibility in mind enabling us to be the first mover to use ammonia as the main fuel as soon as it is available for deep-sea operations. The Auroras represent the future of our business and that of our industry.

Leading the way towards net zero

Shipping is a capital-intensive industry and the vessels Höegh Autoliners design today will be operating for up to 30 years. Therefore, flexibility is key as no one knows what the technology will look like in 10 years.

Securing the first two vessels already by 2024 – and having firm orders for eight Aurora Class vessels by the first half of 2026 and the options for another eight, Höegh Autoliners is making a bold move towards net zero.

“Sustainability is our strategy, and with this move, we are positioning our company for a first to zero leadership position.”

With a deep commitment to sustainable business, Höegh Autoliners has been working strategically in partnership with customers to support in decarbonising their supply chain.

“We have high standards when choosing our suppliers and believe it’s critical that we work in true partnership with them. The latest partnership with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) is a good example of working with one of the most reputable and largest shipbuilding groups in China to ensure our new vessels are delivered in compliance with our high ethical standards,” says Leif O. Høegh.