HÖEGH AURORA sea trials © Höegh Autoliners

Höegh Autoliners secures significant Enova funding for four ammonia-powered Aurora vessels and sees first out on sea trials

Ro-roHöegh Autoliners was granted NOK 109,4 million in increased Enova funding as part of its “Ammonia fuelled vessel programme” to ensure that four of Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class PCTC vessels can run fully on ammonia when they are delivered in 2027. The company will in total receive NOK 255,4 million in Enova funding.
Höegh Autoliners also announced that the first ship in the 12-ship programme, HÖEGH AURORA, has been out on sea trials and should be delivered in the next few weeks.

The funding is part of the largest ever Enova funding round supporting the green maritime transition. The purpose of the funding is to establish the first functioning value chains for ammonia and hydrogen for maritime purposes.

"At Höegh Autoliners, we take leadership by actively collaborating with a wide range of highly qualified and dedicated suppliers to make clean ammonia viable as a zero-emission shipping fuel. We believe it is important for shipping companies to send a clear signal to the rest of the value chain that the technology can be realized in a short time and that there will be demand for carbon-neutral fuel. Almost all Höegh Autoliners vessels sail under the Norwegian flag and have significant Norwegian content from the Norwegian cluster. The support from Enova, together with our innovative multi-fuel vessel design, significantly helps derisking the choice of bringing the first zero-carbon vessels to our industry," says CEO of Höegh Autoliners, Andreas Enger.

Höegh Autoliners granted Enova-funding in March 2024

Höegh Autoliners has a total of 12 Aurora Class vessels on order. The vessels transport rolling cargo such as cars, agricultural machinery, and mining equipment, as well as general solo cargo needing to be shipped.

The first eight Aurora Class vessels will run on LNG, but are designed to be converted to run on ammonia. The ammonia engine technology will be ready in 2026, allowing them to build the last four vessels to run on ammonia from the start. These vessels will be delivered in 2027 and will become the world's first (direct) emission-free vessels in the segment.

In March this year, Höegh Autoliners was granted NOK 146 million in Enova funding for two Aurora Class vessels to reduce the additional cost of this solution compared to a vessel that would be "ammonia ready".

The Aurora Class vessels will significantly contribute to the company's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Höegh Autoliners has secured access to the first ammonia two-stroke engines delivered by MAN.

Jun 20 2024