Strategy and Business
Our strategic framework
Strategic priorities
Our four strategic priorities for 2022–2026 define the Company’s direction and support our ambition to be the preferred green partner in deep‑sea shipping. These priorities ensure that resources are allocated effectively and that our efforts remain focused on the drivers of long‑term value creation.
Customer centric
Deliver shipping services that create customer satisfaction and loyalty
Building strong customer relationships is central to our strategy and essential for long‑term performance. We work closely with our core customers to strengthen commercial resilience, secure a robust contract backlog, and continuously adapt our services to their evolving needs and priorities. This includes a dedicated focus on both the High & Heavy and Breakbulk markets.
Green
Become the greener deep-sea operator to secure our future
We are investing in a new multi‑fuel, green fleet to enable low‑carbon transportation and give our customers viable pathways to meet their decarbonization targets. From 2027, this will include the introduction of ammonia‑capable vessels. We also maintain an active voice in the public arena, working with industry partners and relevant stakeholders to promote common standards and accelerate the transition toward a greener future.
Highly efficient
Reduce voyage costs and maintain lean operating model to reduce unit costs
Operational efficiency is key to delivering a competitive product to our customers. We continuously look for opportunities to reduce voyage costs and maintain a lean operating model across all areas — from optimizing our global trade network to streamlining internal processes.
Digitally enabled
Leverage digital tools to improve customer experience and operational efficiency
We are actively embracing advances within big data processing, computing power, cloud technology and AI. These are enabling digital transformation of our core processes in customer interactions, voyage management as well as cargo and vessel operations.
Corporate purpose
Planet
Sailing for sustainability
Corporate purpose
As a global shipping operator, we are responsible for reducing our environmental impact and aligning our operations with international decarbonization requirements. We have a proven track record of lowering emissions and are executing a defined path toward a zero‑emissions fleet.
Our strategy is designed to meet regulatory expectations and support the decarbonization of our customers’ supply chains. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by more than 30% by 2030 compared with 2019. Our Aurora Class newbuild program is a key part of this plan, with vessels engineered for future fuels and holding DNV’s ammonia‑ and methanol‑ready notations. Further details on our ambitions and targets are available in the Sustainability Statements.
From 2027, our first ammonia‑capable Aurora vessels will enter operation, advancing our transition to low‑ and zero‑carbon shipping.
Development goals
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Cut carbon emissions by more than 30% from 2019 to 2030* and reach net zero by 2040
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Partner with customers to create and grow commercially viable green deep-sea shipping services
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Raise the bar of asset life cycle management based on our responsible business philosophy
* The decarbonisation target refers to a more than 30% reduction in the Group’s fleet efficiency measured by the capacity gross ton distance (cgDIST) by 2030 compared to 2019 (the “30 by 30 Target”). For more details on our net zero ambitions, please refer to E1-1 in the Sustainability Statements.
People
Empowering people to be their best
Corporate purpose
We focus on developing the talent and capabilities required to meet our operational and strategic objectives. This includes targeted programmes that build critical skills across the organisation and strengthen competence in the communities where we operate.
Our agile teams work cross‑functionally and across regions to improve execution and drive performance.
We leverage digital tools and data‑driven processes to enhance core shipping capabilities and support efficient and reliable operations.
For more details on people and social matters, see the Social section in the Sustainability Statements.
Development goals
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Develop global agile teams to improve performance and drive strategic execution for our business, partners and customers
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Strengthening critical skills through targeted talent development and continuous learning aligned with business needs
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Deploy advanced digital tools to enhance operational efficiency, safety and core shipping capabilities
Prosperity
Growing responsible business
Corporate purpose
Höegh Autoliners delivers high‑quality services with strict adherence to ethical standards, legal requirements, and regulatory obligations. We focus on long‑term customer relationships grounded in aligned business principles and responsible commercial conduct.
We optimise our network and fleet deployment to maximise capacity utilisation and operational efficiency. Financial resilience is maintained through disciplined management of leverage, risk, and capital allocation. Our aim is to sustain profitable operations and create long‑term shareholder value while contributing to wider environmental and societal outcomes. We also maintain full tax compliance across all jurisdictions.
Customer privacy is a core element of our compliance framework, including adherence to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Development goals
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Develop lasting relationships with customers sharing our business philosophy
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Ensure financial resilience by management of financial leverage and risks
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Optimise network and capacity to maximise available capacity while maintaining safe operations
Business model at a glance
Long-standing pure-play RoRo liner business, serving contract customers and spot commitments via vessels deployed in major deep sea trade routes. With a fleet designed for maximum flexibility, we are able to cater for a wide range of cargo.
Fully integrated global organization with in-house commercial- and operational management and technical service.
Top 6 largest RoRo shipowner with the world’s greenest fleet of PCTCs – outperforming segment carbon intensity average by more than 20%(1)
Transformational green newbuilding program. We will introduce the PCTC segment’s first ammonia-capable vessels from 2027.
(1) Analysis by the Global Ro-Ro Community (GRC) convened by Smart Freight Centre (SFC) based on 2024 data
Global network
We operate 11 global deep-sea trades and provide shortsea service in the Caribbean. With more than 2 000 port calls annually, we offer our customers a global network of ports.
Overview of our global network and trade routes can be found on our website: Höegh Autoliners Trade Routes
Cargo segments
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Factory New Light Vehicles
We maintain a strong position in global automotive transport, providing reliable RoRo capacity for manufacturers shipping newly produced vehicles. Our vessels are engineered for secure stowage and efficient handling across deep‑sea trades.
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Previously Owned Vehicles
Our global network supports consistent and predictable transport solutions for shippers of used vehicles, serving both established manufacturers and independent exporters.
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High & Heavy
We have long‑standing experience handling rolling, equipment‑intensive cargo within defined and more standardized dimensions. This includes wheeled, tracked, and other self‑propelled units that require precise loading and stowage procedures. Our vessel design, operational routines, and specialized handling capabilities ensure consistent, professional execution across this segment.
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Breakbulk
For Breakbulk cargo, we draw on extensive operational expertise to manage highly diversified, non‑rolling, and irregular shipments. This includes oversized and complex units such as mining equipment, rail components, and construction machinery. These shipments are handled using modern roll trailers and dedicated methods that enable controlled, reliable, and safe transport of cargo that falls outside standard dimensions.
Market developments
The global economy grew by an estimated 2.8% in 2025 despite significant geopolitical uncertainties such as US-China tension, trade protectionism and signs of supply chain realignments. For the global auto industry, the year was shaped largely by three themes: evolving U.S. trade policy, the scale and expansion of China’s automotive industry, and shifting battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) demand in Europe and North America.
For global car carrier shipping, 2025 was a year of two tales. One one hand, the year was defined by robust demand, supported by strong export growth out of China. One the other hand, the introduction of U.S. tariffs, tolls, port fees and other barriers challenged free trade, while ongoing Red Sea disruptions forced carriers to reroute vessels via the Cape. Despite these disturbances, demand for seaborne transportation of cars and high & heavy (H&H) cargo remained robust throughout 2025.
Resilient global auto demand
Global light‑vehicle demand continued to recover, exceeding expectations. Sales reached a provisional 91.7 million units—up 3.4% year‑on‑year—driven by front‑loaded purchasing to avoid announced tariffs, improved auto supply chains, and a return to more traditional demand dynamics. Compared to pre-Covid 2019 levels, the market was up 2%. Importantly, 2025 was the first year global FNVL sales surpassed pre-Covid levels.
In Höegh Autoliners’ key destination markets, sales grew 2% year‑on‑year, slightly below global growth. North American demand rose 2%, while EU markets continued to experience consumer caution, expanding by just 0,4%, as strict 2025 CO₂ regulations affected model mix and overall volumes. To help OEMs mitigate fines in 2025, the EU Action Plan, introduced in March, allowed a reset for the EU regulatory timetable, with new “flexibilities”.
Global deep‑sea light‑vehicle shipments increased by an estimated 10% in 2025, driven by broad‑based sales growth as earlier supply constraints were removed as well as China’s unprecedented exports expansion. China’s influence on global deep-sea shipments was profound in the context of flat exports from the other two Asian exporters – Japan and S. Korea, and modest growth in shipments from the Atlantic basin.
Asia / China strengthens its export position
Asia further cemented its role as the world’s dominant vehicle‑exporting region. Total official exports grew 9% in 2025, driven by a 21% increase in Chinese shipments.
China further consolidated its position as the world’s largest vehicle exporter, reaching 7.1 million units (including overland and short‑sea). Japan and South Korea—both heavily exposed to the U.S. market—saw modest declines of 1% and 2% respectively faced with U.S. auto import tariffs of 15%.
China driving High & Heavy (H&H) export growth
2025 was the second year of adjustment for the global H&H equipment market following the exceptionally high pandemic‑era sales. While underlying activity remained solid, higher interest rates moderated investment appetite, resulting in an estimated 4% decline in global equipment sales by value.
In North America, the demand is estimated to have declined by 10% in 2025 while Europe faced an estimated 2% decline.
Despite mixed sales trends, global deep‑sea shipments of core H&H equipment showed strong recovery, rising an estimated 18% year‑on‑year. Asia’s shipments grew 24%, while volumes from the Atlantic fell 21%. China’s deep‑sea exports grew by an estimated 40% and have likely quadrupled since 2022. China expanded its share of Asian exports from an estimated 61% in 2024 to 69% in 2025—driven by weak domestic demand and excess production capacity.
Global PCTC fleet
By year‑end 2025, the global deep‑sea PCTC fleet consisted of 773 vessels (4.9 million CEU). 76 newbuildings were delivered – 68 LNG dual‑fuel, six conventional fuels, and two methanol‑powered – while two vessels exited the fleet. In 2025, China built 62 of vessels delivered (81% of total deliveries). Chinese operators took delivery of 29 ships, increasing their control to nearly 10% of the global fleet including the orderbook. The firm orderbook stood at 139 vessels (1.1 million CEU), with newbuilding prices appearing to stabilize.
Despite the peak inflow of new tonnage, global capacity balance remained tight in 2025 mainly due to the strong growth from China. As a consequence, the charter market has remained tight with elevated pricing.
Page footnotes
Market developments in this section relate to Höegh Autoliners key destination markets: Western/Central Europe, North America, Middle East, Oceania
Sources: GDP forecasts, FNLV sales and shipment forecast data is based on the latest available S&P Global Mobility sales and production forecasts (Feb 2026).
H&H shipment data is based on customs statistics extracted from S&P Global Trade Atlas.
PCTC fleet data is based on Hesnes report "The Car Carrier Market 2025".
