Hoegh Autoliners said it has entered into a contract with China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu for four multi-fuel PCTCs that can run on LNG.
The deal includes four fixed and eight optional multi-fuel and “zero-carbon ready” Aurora class vessels, the Norway-based PCTC owner said on Thursday.
Under the terms of the contract, Hoegh Autoliners will take delivery of the first two vessels with the capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars in the second half of 2024 and the next two ships in the first half of 2025.
The firm did not reveal the price tag of the ships. VesselsValue data suggests Hoegh Autoliners would pay $98 million per ship.
The Aurora class will have DNV’s ammonia and methanol ready notation.
Also, Hoegh Autoliners claims the vessels would be the first in the PCTC segment to operate on ammonia.
The vessel’s multi-fuel engine can run on marine gas oil (MGO) and LNG.
With modifications, the vessel can transition to use future “zero-carbon fuels” including ammonia or methanol, Hoegh Autoliners said.
Finland-based Deltamarin, a part of China Merchants Group, designed the new Aurora class vessels.
Hoegh Autoliner currently operates 40 pure car and truck carriers, according to its website.
Leif Hoegh is the parent of both Hoegh Autoliners and floating player Hoegh LNG.