In International Shipping News 01/02/2016
Leif Høegh attending the Naming of Höegh Tracer in China
29 January the third vessel in Höegh Autoliners’ New Horizon class was successfully named Höegh Tracer, at a naming ceremony at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industries in China.
Mrs Hiromi Oe, wife of Mr Akio Oe, President of Nissan Motor Car Carrier (NMCC), successfully named the vessel “Höegh Tracer” through the traditional ceremony.
Höegh Tracer is the third in a series of six Post Panamax vessels under the New Horizon design that Höegh Autoliners will take delivery of within this year. With its deck space of 71 400 square meters and carrying capacity of 8 500 car equivalent units, the vessel is one of the world’s largest Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC).
Steinar Løvdal, Head of Capacity Management in Höegh Autoliners says,
“It is with great pride that we today name the third New Horizon vessel. The first two New Horizon vessels, Höegh Target and Höegh Trigger are already a valuable addition to our fleet. With our focus on customer satisfaction, the added flexibility these vessels provide, enable us to offer an enhanced service offering to our customers.”
The vessel also has a higher door opening than Höegh Autoliners’ current vessels, enabling cargo up to 6.5 metres high and 12 metres wide to be loaded. Extra ramp strength allows for cargo weighing up to 375 tonnes to be loaded over the stern ramp and 22 tonnes over the side ramp.
Höegh Tracer is together with its sister vessels designed to minimise its impact on the environment. Energy efficiency principles have been followed throughout the ship design process and the latest technology in the market has been implemented. Attention has also been paid on optimising the hull form in order to combine high cargo capacity and low fuel consumption. Extensive model testing has been carried out to achieve outstanding performance. In addition to calm water performance, special focus has been paid on added resistance in heavy seas and wind resistance. Furthermore, the New Horizon vessels are estimated to emit 50 per cent less CO2 per car transported than a standard car carrier.
Höegh Tracer, will begin its Maiden Voyage from East Asia to Europe in March, and will thereafter sail from Europe back to East Asia via Africa and Oceania.
Höegh Tracer and its sister vessels are given DNV-GL’s class notification “CLEAN” for its cleaner design.
Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of Ro/Ro transportation services. The company operates 15 trade routes in global trade systems alone or in partnerships, with about 3,000 port calls annually. In addition, Höegh Autoliners is engaged in regional trade directly and through Joint Ventures in Europe, East Asia and Caribbean, engaging 17 vessels in 7 regional trade routes. The company is managed from a global network of around 20 offices, owner’s representatives and agents and has approximately 400 employees ashore and 1200 seafarers.
Hoegh Tracer Vessel Particulars
Source: Höegh Autoliners
