Höegh Autoliners secures significant Enova funding for four ammonia-powered Aurora vessels
Höegh Autoliners has been 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 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.
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, highlighted a release.
“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 realised 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 8 Aurora Class vessels will run on LNG, with the first one being delivered in August. These vessels are designed to be converted to run on ammonia. The ammonia engine technology will be ready in 2026, allowing it to build the last 4 vessels to run on ammonia from the start. These vessels will be delivered in 2027 and will be groundbreaking, becoming the world’s first emission-free vessels in its 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, as one of the first and few shipping companies globally, has secured access to the first ammonia 2-stroke engines delivered by MAN.
Norwegian maritime cluster leading the way
Höegh Autoliners is one of 7 companies granted the Enova funding, that will support both hydrogen vessels and ammonia vessels.
Today, shipping accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 90% of that comes from deep-sea shipping.
Enova funding will raise the demand for zero-emission fuels and thereby help establish a well-functioning first market for zero-emission transport at sea, creating a green tipping point for the maritime sector, the release added.
Source: Exim News Service: Oslo, June 24