Norway’s roro Höegh Autoliners said on Friday that it has renewed several long-term contracts with a major international car producer for transport of cars in various trade lanes.
The operator also revealed that the remaining duration of the contracts is three-years, and that it had already started to ship cargo under some of the contracts.
“The renewal of these contracts, with substantial cargo volumes in several of our core trade lines, represents another milestone in our efforts to build a solid contract backlog. We have successfully served this customer for many years and are delighted that they again have chosen Höegh Autoliners as their preferred carrier for another contract period,” said Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.
The Oslo-based company didn’t disclose the counterparty’s identity, or the amount it stands to earn from the contracts.
“The customer aligns with our decarbonization goals, and we have strategic discussions with them on collaborating to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting their products. Höegh Autoliners is on a clear path to reduce carbon footprint from transport of cars and rolling equipment between continents. With two of the Aurora class vessels now in operation and ten more to enter the fleet the next 2-3 years we can offer our customers one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solution in the industry,” the chief executive added.
To remind, the first Aurora vessel, Höegh Aurora, was delivered at a naming ceremony at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard in Jiangsu, China on August 8.
All vessels are being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), classed by DNV and registered under the Norwegian flag, «NIS».
The Aurora-class has a capacity of up to 9,100 cars and with strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems, the vessels can carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks.
All Auroras will have DNV’s “ammonia ready” and “methanol ready” notations.
Recently, Höegh Autoliners welcomed the second Aurora-Class pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Höegh Borealis, to its fleet.
The company took delivery of the 25 200-dwt vessel on October 16 at 17:15 local time, following her naming ceremony on September 11, which was attended by Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Chinese officials.
The ship is the second of twelve Aurora-class vessels that the company ordered at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) as part of its transformational newbuild program.
