June 4 - The first vessel in Höegh's newbuild programme will be called Höegh Target.

Höegh Target is the first in a series of six post-Panamax vessels under the New Horizon design that Höegh Autoliners will take delivery of over the next 18 months.

With a deck space of 71,400 sq m and carrying capacity of 8,500 ceu (car equivalent units), Höegh Autoliners claims that the new vessel is the world's largest pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).

Höegh Target, together with its sister vessels, has been designed by Höegh Autoliners in close cooperation with Deltamarine Oy, to minimise its impact on the environment. Attention has also been paid to optimising the hull form in order to combine high cargo capacity and low fuel consumption.

The vessel also has a higher door opening than Höegh Autoliners' current vessels, enabling cargo up to 6.5 m high and 12 m wide to be loaded. Extra ramp strength allows for cargo weighing up to 375 tonnes to be loaded over the stern ramp, and up to 22 tonnes over the side ramp.

Höegh Target will begin its maiden voyage from East Asia to Europe in early July, and will then sail from Europe back to East Asia via Africa and Oceania.