DP World has received the MV Höegh Sunrise, the world’s largest and most environmentally advanced automotive carrier, to Jebel Ali Port for the first time.
The Aurora-class vessel is the first of its kind in the automotive shipping sector, built with a zero-carbon ready design and equipped to run on future fuels such as ammonia and methanol. It sets a new benchmark for sustainable long-distance maritime transport.
Capable of carrying 9,100 vehicles, the ship reduces carbon emissions per car transported by 58 percent compared to current industry standards. The Höegh Sunrise arrived from Europe carrying 1,200 vehicles.
A plaque ceremony was held at Jebel Ali Port to mark the occasion, attended by Ahmed Badri, Vice President of General Cargo & RoRo at DP World GCC, and Atanu Maiti, Regional Head of Commercial Operations at Höegh Autoliners for the Middle East, Africa, India, and Europe.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, said, “The Höegh Sunrise is a leader in sustainable shipping, and her arrival reinforces Dubai’s role as a global hub for the automotive industry.
By handling the largest and most advanced car carriers, we are enabling the transition to greener supply chains while supporting more than 940 automotive companies based in Jafza.”
Andreas Enger, CEO, Höegh Autoliners, said, “The Aurora-class is designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable shipping. Partnering with leading hubs like Jebel Ali is essential to deliver on that ambition, ensuring our carbon conscious customers can move their cargo reliably while reducing their carbon footprint.”
In 2024, DP World handled a record 1.3 million vehicles in Dubai—marking a 53.6 percent year-on-year increase—cementing the emirate’s growing role in global automotive trade. To meet rising demand, DP World expanded its automotive logistics capabilities in August with a new 2.6 million square-foot vehicle storage yard at Terminal 4, and is also developing the world’s largest auto market, spanning 20 million square feet.
(Inputs from WAM)
