World’s Biggest & Most Eco-Friendly Car Carrier Calls Germany’s Hamburg Port

The world’s largest and most eco-friendly car carrier, Hoegh Aurora, recently arrived at the Port of Hamburg. This visit marks an important step in global efforts to reduce pollution in shipping, following the commitments outlined in the Hamburg Declaration on Decarbonisation of Global Shipping.

The Hoegh Aurora began its journey in Japan and South Korea, where it loaded thousands of cars. After setting sail for Europe, the vessel made stops at several major ports, including those in Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden, before reaching Hamburg, Germany.

Grand Event at the Port of Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg, Germany’s largest and the third-biggest in Europe, will host a special event to celebrate this eco-conscious journey. Hoegh Autoliners, the company behind this ship, has invited many of its partners and customers to mark this important moment.

The Hoegh Aurora is an impressive ship that can carry up to 9,100 cars, including electric vehicles. The vessel features 14 decks, offering ample space for transporting large amounts of cargo. One of the ship’s most innovative features is its solar panels, located on the top deck. These panels help reduce the ship’s need for electricity from fuel-powered generators by 30%.

Additionally, the vessel can connect to electric shore power at ports, meaning it produces zero emissions while docked. This helps prevent pollution in port cities.

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Aurora Class Ships: Leading the Future

The Hoegh Aurora is the first of 12 ships in the company’s Aurora Class series. Alongside it, the Hoegh Borealis is also currently in service. The remaining 10 ships are expected to join the fleet by 2028.

These new ships are designed with the future in mind. They will use engines that can run on ammonia, a fuel that doesn’t release harmful carbon emissions. This shift could reduce the fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 58% compared to the current industry standard.

Promoting Ammonia as a Clean Fuel

Hoegh Autoliners is not only building ships but also working to boost the use of green ammonia as a clean maritime fuel. The company is partnering with leading ammonia producers, such as Yara Clean Ammonia, Sumitomo Corporation, and Norwegian North Ammonia, to ensure enough green ammonia is available to power its ships.

The company’s goal is to run its Aurora Class fleet on 100,000 metric tons of green ammonia by 2030. With this initiative, Hoegh Autoliners aims to set a new standard in sustainable shipping and lead the way in reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry.