A christening ceremony for Höegh Autoliners’ latest vessel was held at the Port of Gothenburg. Höegh Moonlight is the sixth car carrier from the innovative, heavily promoted series of ships presented as “the world’s most advanced and environmentally friendly PCTC.”
The event was attended by representatives of the companies involved in building the vessel, the owner, as well as port and local authorities. In a statement on LinkedIn, Höegh Autoliners emphasized that the christening and naming of the ship celebrated complex work and the implementation of innovations, in line with the company’s policy of achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2040. The ship’s godmother was Jenny Westermark, Senior Vice President of Production Logistics GTO at Volvo Group.
“The partnership between Höegh Autoliners and Volvo Group is not just a business alliance. It is a shared commitment, a joint strength, aimed at driving real, lasting change in our industries,” she underlined.
Höegh Moonlight (IMO 9971252) is the sixth in a planned series of 12 PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) vessels. The program began with the prototype unit, Höegh Aurora (IMO 9962677), which entered service in August 2024 and gave its name to the class. The vessels are being built at China Merchants Heavy Industry and sail under the Norwegian flag. They were designed by Deltamarin. The car carrier measures 200 meters in length and 38 meters in width. It features 14 decks, including five liftable ones, allowing for a capacity of 16,250 DWT or 9,100 cars. With improved decks and ramps, the Aurora-class PCTCs are designed to carry electric vehicles on all decks. New safety solutions have also been introduced, particularly for fire protection.
The development of this series of ships is described as the result of hard work, extensive maritime expertise, and visionary partnerships with a range of companies, including China Merchants Heavy Industries, Kongsberg Maritime, DNV, Deltamarin, MAN Energy Systems, MacGregor, TGE Marine, Bank of Communications, HD Hyundai, Glamox, and many others. In addition to their size, the vessels are distinguished, as Höegh Autoliners stresses, by being the “most environmentally friendly PCTC in the world.” They are powered by MAN Energy Solutions engines capable of running on diesel fuel. At the same time, the engine room is prepared for green fuels based on ammonia and methanol. By 2027, the final four of the 12 Aurora-class vessels are scheduled to be powered by clean, environmentally friendly ammonia. The ships also feature solar panels with a total surface area of 1,500 m² on the upper deck, which can reduce electricity generation from onboard generators by as much as 30–35%. The design also includes shore power compatibility, enabling zero-emission port operations. Although not all of these solutions are yet widely used in the industry due to cost, technological advancement, or the need for infrastructure, once they become commercially available, they are expected to allow full CO₂-free operations during every voyage.
“Höegh Moonlight reflects the transformation we are leading in the maritime sector. From delivery speed to the scale of innovation onboard, these vessels demonstrate what can be achieved when ambition meets action. We are grateful to our partners, crews, and global team for making this possible – together we are building more than ships, we are helping shape a cleaner, smarter future for global trade,” said Sebjørn Dahl, Chief Operating Officer of Höegh Autoliners.
“Naming Höegh Moonlight in the Port of Gothenburg signifies more than just the arrival of a vessel; it is a celebration of our close cooperation with key customers and our shared commitment to sustainable, high-quality transport solutions. We are proud to strengthen these partnerships in a port that plays such an important role,” said Oskar Orstadius, Chief Safety Officer of Höegh Autoliners.
Höegh’s activity in the Port of Gothenburg plays a key role in enabling Swedish industry to access global markets. With the introduction of these new vessels, this connection can now be carried out more efficiently and in a more climate-friendly manner than before. The Port of Gothenburg aims to become the leading hub for alternative fuel bunkering in Western Europe, and Höegh serves as a strong example of leadership, showing that the port’s initiatives are moving in the right direction, said Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg.
Höegh Autoliners’ strategy aligns with that of the Swedish port administration, which plans to achieve a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 at sea, in terminals, and on land. This transformation is being carried out in close cooperation with industry, policymakers, and academia, with a special focus on creating sustainable value chains for a prosperous society and strengthening companies’ access to global markets. Key elements of these efforts include investments in shore power, green shipping corridors, electrification, and future fuels – all enabled by close cooperation with stakeholders across the supply chain.
