International Supports Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class

Advanced protection for the Aurora Class fleet.

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Advanced solutions for the Aurora Class PCTC newbuilding program

International® supports Höegh Autoliners’ newbuild programmes with high-performance marine coating solutions. Over the past decade, International has worked closely with Höegh Autoliners to deliver advanced coatings for each generation of the company’s Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) fleet.

The recent delivery of Höegh Rainbow, the eighth vessel in the innovative Aurora Class series exemplifies this collaboration and marks the completion of the LNG-powered phase of the Aurora Class program.

This milestone not only showcases the successful partnership between International® and Höegh Autoliners but also underscores our joint commitment to advancing sustainability and operational excellence in global shipping.

Two men wearing hard hats standing at a port with a Höegh Autoliners vessel in the background.

Two men shaking hands in an office setting

Simon Parker with Mr. Henry Yanez Höegh Autoliners and Mr. CHEN Tao - Deputy GM, CMHI

Project Scope & Fleet Background

From the six 8,500 CEU PCTCs delivered between 2013 and 2016, to the current twelve 9,100 CEU Aurora Class vessels under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, China, International® expertise and advanced technologies continue to support Höegh Autoliners’ vision for a cleaner, more efficient future.

Höegh Autoliners Aurora Class car carrier sailing in open water.

Höegh Autoliners vessel at sea.

High-Performance Products for a Sustainable Future

With the Aurora Class, Höegh Autoliners is targeting up to a 58% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional PCTCs, an achievement made possible using LNG as the primary fuel, innovative vessel design, and the careful selection of performance-enhancing technologies.

Our advanced coatings systems contribute to this progress, supporting vessel efficiency, lowering maintenance and dry-docking frequency and protecting key structures. Coatings supplied include:

Intergard 7500: Delivers robust anti-corrosive protection for the hull and critical steel structures.
Intercept 8500 LPP: Provides industry-leading fouling control, supporting fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Interthane 990: Ensures a durable, long-lasting topcoat for superior aesthetics and protection.

A Partnership Built on Progress

“International® has been a trusted partner throughout our major newbuilding projects, and their expertise has played a key role in helping us achieve our ambitious decarbonization goals. The performance and durability of their coatings contribute directly to the operational efficiency and environmental excellence of our Aurora Class vessels.”

- Sebjørn Dahl, Chief Operations Officer, Höegh Autoliners.

“Securing the coatings contract for all 12 Aurora Class newbuilds is a testament to the strong partnership between International and Höegh Autoliners. We are committed to enabling Höegh’s vision for a more sustainable fleet and to driving innovation and reducing the environmental footprint of global shipping.”

- Simon Parker, BU Director, International Marine Coatings.

Group of seven men wearing hard hats standing at a dock with ships in the background.

Sustainability Leadership in Marine Coatings

AkzoNobel® is a recognized sustainability leader, with strong ESG credentials independently validated by leading rating agencies. The company is the only paints and coatings manufacturer to be rated ESG Industry Top Rated by Sustainalytics, to achieve an AAA rating from MSCI, and to be ranked in the top 1% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis.

With 16 research and development sites across 11 countries, AkzoNobel continues to drive innovation that delivers both high performance and measurable sustainability benefits.