The newest member of the World Shipping Council comes from Norway: RoRo shipping company Höegh Autoliners has announced that it has joined the world’s largest liner shipping industry association.
The RoRo shipping company Höegh Autoliners, part of the Norwegian group Leif Höegh & Co, is the newest member of the World Shipping Council (WSC). The industry association, based in the US capital Washington, represents the global liner shipping industry, which includes vehicle transportation.
“We are pleased to welcome Höegh Autoliners to the World Shipping Council,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the WSC. “Vehicle carriers are a central part of the liner shipping industry and contribute significantly to global trade. Höegh Autoliners brings valuable expertise and perspective that we will leverage as we work with policymakers on safety, sustainability and effective global regulation.”
“Höegh Autoliners has consistently invested in an economically viable, cleaner future over the years with our ‘Aurora’ class newbuilding project, positioning us as an industry leader in the next chapter of zero-emission ocean shipping,” said Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners. He emphasized the need for globally effective guidelines for liner shipping to respond to changing trade patterns and an increasingly complex business environment. “Joining the World Shipping Council underscores our commitment to working with industry peers and policy makers to shape practical global regulatory frameworks that promote both economic competitiveness and long-term sustainability, while strengthening the resilience of the supply chains we all depend on.”
Every year, two-thirds of the world’s trade value is transported by liner shipping. The WSC represents over 90% of global liner shipping capacity, covering container, vehicle and RoRo services. Vehicle carriers, like container lines, provide regular liner services that are essential to the smooth running of global supply chains and support international trade. Through its member companies, the WSC works with governments and international organizations to promote safe and environmentally responsible shipping.
“Aurora” class holds 9,100 CEU each
Höegh Autoliners’ “Aurora” class comprises a series of twelve vessels, each with a capacity of 9,100 CEU. In September, the shipping company added the “Höegh Moonlight”, the sixth of the newbuilds, to its fleet. According to a company statement, the class is the “most technically advanced and environmentally friendly car carrier series ever built”.
The first eight newbuildings will run on LNG as their primary fuel, but are already “ammonia ready” thanks to dual-fuel engines. The last four ships, which are scheduled for delivery from 2027, will also be equipped with dual-fuel engines, but will run on ammonia from day one. The 7S60ME-LGIA (Liquid Gas Injection Ammonia) engines will be supplied by the Augsburg-based company Everllence.
