– It is encouraging that this new car transport ship will be a world leader in energy efficiency, cut emissions, open to new energy chains, and that the ship is Norwegian, that it beats Oslo in the stern, and that a great deal of the technology that makes this possible is Norwegian, says the prime minister of NTB.
But the ship is therefore built in China. And it will be sailed with a Chinese crew.
– There are no shipyards in Norway that can build this ship. Norwegian shipyards have specialized in other, more specialized services, but this size requires this type of shipyard, says Støre on the bridge of the new ship.
– Do you think this ship could have been operated with Norwegian sailors?
– We want to have a good group of Norwegian sailors. We have a net salary scheme that will contribute to that. But for these ships, which sail on the big seas, there are very large crews from China, the Philippines and here in the region, says Støre.
Huge size
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Chinese workers have spent two million man-hours building the giant car ship, according to the company. On Wednesday, it was named Höegh Borealis in a solemn ceremony.
The shipping company has ordered 12 such ships from the shipyard of China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu province in China. The new ship is number two in the series.
There will be space for 9,100 car units on board.
– There will be a 100 kilometer long queue of cars if you park them one after the other. The ship will transport cars, trucks, buses, road construction machinery, windmill blades and everything that can roll or that does not fit in a container, explains chairman Leif Høegh of Höegh Autoliners to NTB.
– Norway has not really built a ship of this size in 50 years, he says.
– Not competitive
The chairman says that Norway is a world leader in building complicated ships for offshore and smaller ships.
– There is a lot of welding work on this ship. There is a lot of manual work. Norway is not competitive there, he says.
According to the company, the ship will cut carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58 percent from the current industry average.
The new ships are also being made to be able to use pure ammonia as fuel from 2027. This will remove almost all CO2 emissions.
– This ship leaves the yard in a month, on October 15. Then they will go straight into the Shanghai port and load cars. And then they will go to Japan and load cars. And then they are going to Europe via Singapore, says Høegh.
– That time is over
The economic report to the Norwegian Shipping Association for 2024 shows that the Norwegian foreign shipping companies have an order book of 113 ships. Only seven of them are built in Norway.
Director of the Shipping Association, Knut Arild Hareide, is also present at the solemn christening ceremony in China. He says that Norway does not have the capacity to build all the ships the Norwegian shipping companies need.
– In this size, the vast majority of ships are made here in China. 60 percent of the world’s fleet is made here in China. And it is almost the same proportion for the Norwegian fleet, he says.
As for the crew, Hareide says that we will probably never return to the time in the 60s and 70s when his father was a sailor.
– But it is incredibly important that we also have a number of Norwegian seamen, he says.
– But as big as the Norwegian fleet is, I can say that there will be an incredible number of ships with Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Polish and Ukrainian crews. It’s everyday life. And that’s how it will be, says Hareide.
#worlds #largest #car #ship #christened #built #Norway
2024-09-12 11:14:52
Hoegh AURORA Marine traffic
The Höegh Borealis: A Pioneering Car Transport Ship Paving the Way for Sustainable Shipping
In a grand naming ceremony in China, Höegh Autoliners recently launched its second Aurora-class vessel, the Höegh Borealis, which is set to revolutionize the car transport industry with its cutting-edge technology and commitment to sustainability [[2]]. This massive ship, capable of carrying up to 9,100 car units, is not only an engineering marvel but also a testament to the company’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint.
A Norwegian Ship with a Global Reach
While the Höegh Borealis is a Norwegian ship, it was built in China, highlighting the complexities of the global shipping industry. According to Prime Minister Støre, Norway lacks the capacity to build ships of this magnitude, with local shipyards specializing in more specialized services [[3]]. The ship will be operated by a Chinese crew, although the company aims to attract more Norwegian sailors through its net salary scheme.
A Giant of the Seas
The Höegh Borealis is an enormous vessel, with Chinese workers clocking in over two million man-hours to build it. This behemoth of the seas will transport not only cars but also trucks, buses, road construction machinery, windmill blades, and any other rolling stock that doesn’t fit in a container. To put its size into perspective, if you parked all the cars it can carry in a single line, it would stretch for 100 kilometers.
Paving the Way for Sustainability
The Höegh Borealis is designed to be a world leader in energy efficiency, with the potential to cut carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58% from the current industry average. The ship is also being built to run on pure ammonia as fuel from 2027, which will virtually eliminate CO2 emissions. This commitment to sustainability is a significant step forward for the shipping industry, which is often criticized for its environmental impact.
A New Era for Car Transport
The Höegh Borealis is part of a larger trend in the car transport industry, which is shifting towards more sustainable and efficient practices. As the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly car carrier, this ship sets a new standard for the industry. With its capacity to carry electric vehicles on all 14 decks, it is well-positioned to support the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The Future of Shipping
The launch of the Höegh Borealis serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and sustainability in the shipping industry. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, companies like Höegh Autoliners are leading the way towards a more environmentally friendly future. With its pioneering technology and commitment to reducing emissions, the Höegh Borealis is an exciting development in the world of car transport and a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future.
Ship Specifications
IMO: 9962689
Gross tonnage: 83,687
Deadweight: 16,250
Capacity: up to 9,100 car units
Fuel: Pure ammonia (from 2027)
Owner: Höegh Autoliners
Builder: China Merchants Heavy Industry, Jiangsu province, China
Class: Aurora-class vessel
As the Höegh Borealis sets sail on its maiden voyage, it represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable future for the shipping industry. With its cutting-edge technology, impressive capacity, and commitment to reducing emissions, this ship is an inspiration to us all.
**PAA Questions:**
Title: Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora-Class Vessels: A New Era in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Shipping
Introduction
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The shipping industry has been under scrutiny in recent years due to its significant carbon footprint and environmental impact. However, a new generation of vessels is emerging, promising to revolutionize the way we transport goods across the globe. Höegh Autoliners, a leading Norwegian shipping company, has taken a significant step towards a more sustainable future with its Aurora-class vessels. In this article, we will explore the features and benefits of these cutting-edge ships, which are set to transform the shipping industry.
Huge Size and Capacity
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The Höegh Borealis, the second in the series of 12 Aurora-class vessels, is a behemoth of a ship. With a capacity to transport 9,100 car units, it is one of the largest and most efficient car carriers in the world. The vessel’s massive size is a testament to the growing demand for eco-friendly and efficient transportation solutions. According to Leif Høegh, Chairman of Höegh Autoliners, the ship will transport a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, road construction machinery, and even windmill blades.
Not Competitive
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Despite its Norwegian origins, the Höegh Borealis was built in China, at the China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard in Jiangsu province. According to Støre, Norwegian shipyards have specialized in more complex and smaller vessels, making them less competitive for such large-scale projects. The chairman of Höegh Autoliners, Leif Høegh, echoed this sentiment, stating that Norway is a world leader in building complicated ships for offshore and smaller vessels, but lacks the capacity to build ships of this magnitude.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
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The Höegh Borealis is designed to be a world leader in energy efficiency, cutting carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58% from the current industry average. Moreover, the new ships are being built to be able to use pure ammonia as fuel from 2027, which will remove almost all CO2 emissions. This revolutionary technology will make Höegh Autoliners one of the most eco-friendly shipping companies in the world.
Crew and Operations
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Although the ship is Norwegian-owned, it will be sailed with a Chinese crew. According to Støre, the prime minister, Norway wants to have a good group of Norwegian sailors, but for these ships, which sail on the big seas, there are very large crews from China, the Philippines, and other regions.
That Time is Over
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The economic report to the Norwegian Shipping Association for 2024 highlights the decline of Norway’s shipbuilding industry. According to Knut Arild Hareide, Director of the Shipping Association, Norway does not have the capacity to build all the ships the Norwegian shipping companies need. The majority of the world’s fleet is made in China, accounting for 60% of global production.
Conclusion
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Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora-class vessels, led by the Höegh Borealis, mark a significant milestone in the quest for a more sustainable shipping industry. With their energy-efficient design, massive capacity, and cutting-edge technology, these vessels are set to revolutionize the way we transport goods across the globe. As the shipping industry continues to evolve, Höegh Autoliners is poised to remain at the forefront of innovation, reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, greener future.
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