Höegh Autoliners has exercised its option to purchase the pure car truck carrier (PCTC) Höegh Trapper for USD53.2 million.

Hoegh trapper

Image source: Höegh Autoliners

The average market value of the vessel estimated by three different brokers was USD96 million by the end of Q3 2022, said Höegh Autoliners, and is the fourth bareboat chartered vessel it has opted to purchase this year. These vessels include Höegh Tracer for USD53.2 million and Höegh St. Petersburg for USD29.3 million.

“By taking direct ownership of the vessel, we demonstrate our commitment to serve and build a long-term relationship with our customers based on a fleet we own and control. Bringing home Höegh Trapper means that we will have ownership of all six Horizon-class vessels built at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry in 2015 and 2016,” said Höegh Autoliners’ chief financial officer Per Øivind Rosmo.

“These vessels are among the largest and most fuel-efficient PCTCs sailing the oceans and are, together with the Aurora-class vessels under construction, an important part of our ambition to continue to reduce our carbon intensity and our journey towards being carbon neutral by 2040.”

Built in 2016, Höegh Trapper has a maximum door width of 19.3 m and a ramp capacity of 375 tonnes.