Höegh Autoliners has made a deal with the Chinese battery maker BYD to set up a marine battery system on its future car carrier, Aurora No. 12. This system will combine battery storage, solar panels, and a shaft generator using ammonia for propulsion.
The agreement was signed on Monday during the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey. The vessel will have an integrated energy system aimed at cutting fuel use and emissions. Aurora No. 12 is set for delivery in May 2028 and will be ready to operate on ammonia right from the shipyard.
Höegh claims this ship will be the first deep-sea car carrier to use all four technologies, making it the most fuel-efficient pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) ever built.
“This shows that shipping can lead the way in becoming more environmentally friendly. We’re bringing together all available green technologies on a vessel that can operate on ammonia right from the start. No one has done this for a deep-sea car carrier before,” said Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.
The BYD battery system will work with the ship's shaft generator and solar panels to enhance energy management on board. Höegh estimates that this setup could cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 1,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent each year while also reducing fuel costs.
This technology could help tackle one of the main issues with ammonia-powered shipping: the higher cost of green ammonia compared to traditional marine fuels. Although burning ammonia produces no CO₂, its overall environmental impact greatly depends on how it is produced.
“We aim to challenge ourselves technologically and see what can be achieved when green technologies are combined effectively,” stated Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners.
BYD mentioned that this collaboration will showcase the potential of its containerized battery technology in deep-sea shipping.
Aurora No. 12 is part of Höegh Autoliners’ growing Aurora-class newbuilding program at China Merchants Heavy Industry. Each ship is designed to carry up to 9,100 cars, with the company claiming a reduction of carbon emissions per vehicle transported by as much as 58% compared to traditional car carriers.
This latest development follows Höegh Autoliners' order in August for six more Aurora-class vessels, bringing the total to 18 ships. There are options and reserved slots that may eventually increase the fleet to 26 vessels.
The Aurora-class ships use engines provided by Everllence, navigation systems from Kongsberg Maritime, and feature DNV class notations that are ready for ammonia and methanol. This new battery installation is an important step in Höegh’s efforts to move its deep-sea fleet towards lower- and zero-carbon operations.