Höegh Autoliners was the pilot customer for Kongsberg Digital’s Vessel Insight cloud platform back in 2019 and it is vital Kongsberg continues to test new technology such as digital twins for the maritime industry and applications such as Vessel Performance.
The Norwegian vessel operator operates nearly 40 vessels across an extensive network of 11 global deepsea trades. Each year, the company facilitates more than 3,000 port calls.
By extending its existing co-operation, Höegh is hoping to leverage better digital services for increased operational efficiency.
The company’s ambitious newbuild programme will see the construction of the first ammonia-ready dual-fuel Aurora-class vessels at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) shipyard.
Höegh expects to take delivery of the Aurora vessels every six months from H2 2024, which will be deployed in the deepsea segment.
The Aurora-class vessels will have Vessel Insight installed when they embark on their maiden voyages. The newly signed contract also ensures the continued roll-out of Vessel Insight to Höegh Autoliners’ existing fleet, except for a few older vessels, to be connected through Kongsberg Digital’s maritime cloud infrastructure throughout 2023.
Höegh Autoliners reiterated its ambition to reach net-zero operations by 2040 and improve efficiency by 30% by 2030, with 2019 as a baseline.
Höegh chief executive Andreas Enger commented, “This will accelerate our path towards more sustainable, efficient and transparent operations while ensuring that our vessels are at the forefront of digitalisation in the industry. Embracing this digital revolution enables us to offer improved services to our valued customers worldwide.”
“With our close history, Höegh Autoliners is more of a partner than a customer to us; the company is a digital, ambitious frontrunner with whom we share a passion for innovation and sustainability. The best and only way to meet sustainability ambitions and the ever-increasing emissions regulations within the maritime sector is to work together on the issues at hand. We are proud to be Höegh Autoliners trusted digitalisation partner, and Kongsberg Digital is truly looking forward to working closely with Höegh Autoliners in the coming years,” said Kongsberg Digital chief executive Shane McArdle.