In Finland, ESL Shipping announced its investment in four new handysize 1A ice-class vessels, valued at €186 million, which can be powered by green hydrogen-based e-methanol or biomethanol, allowing entirely fossil-free operations.
The vessels will be built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, with deliveries expected between Q3 2027 and Q1 2028. The key technology, including a battery hybrid drive, will come from European suppliers.
Designed in collaboration with Finnish firm Deltamarin Ltd and Swedish model testing facility SSPA, the ships boast cutting-edge cargo capacity, energy efficiency, and flexible design. “We have developed these state-of-the-art, highly flexible multi-fuel vessels in close cooperation with our industrial partners,” says Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping.
In connection with the order, ESL is exploring financial options, including ship pooling, and has already strengthened its balance sheet with a €45 million equity injection earlier this year.
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Tags: biomethanol, e-methanol, ESL Shipping, Finland
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
