Fourth New Horizon-class vessel named

The fourth vessel in Höegh Autoliners’ New Horizon series has been named ‘Trapper’, at a naming ceremony at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industries in China.

Höegh ‘Trapper’ is the fourth 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 metres and carrying capacity of 8,500 car equivalent units, the vessel is one of the world’s largest pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).

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 ‘Trapper’ and its sister vessels – the ‘Target’, ‘Trigger’, and ‘Tracer’ – are estimated to emit 50 per cent less CO2 per car transported than a standard car carrier, Höegh has said.

The carrier will begin its maiden voyage from East Asia to Europe in June, before sailing from Europe back to East Asia via Africa and Oceania.