ESL Shipping has taken delivery of Luxomar, the twelfth and final vessel in its series of 5,400-DWT plug-in hybrid Green Coasters, completing a fleet renewal and growth programme that the Finnish carrier says is one of the most far-reaching in its history.

The vessel was handed over on 8 September at Chowgule and Company's yard in India and is expected to commence its maiden voyage to Europe shortly.

The Green Coasters combine battery hybrid technology, shore power connectivity and optimised hull design to reduce emissions and enable what ESL Shipping describes as silent and emission-free port calls. The vessels are built to Ice Class 1A, permitting year-round operations in the Northern Baltic Sea.

Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping, remarked: "The delivery of Luxomar marks the successful completion of a strategic investment programme that strengthens ESL Shipping's competitiveness and supports future growth."

Frida Rowland, SVP Business Unit Coasters at ESL Shipping, commented: "Over the past few years, we have transformed our coaster fleet with twelve modern hybrid vessels that enhance our ability to serve customers in our core markets. The vessels have delivered excellent performance in daily operations and fully met our expectations."

Arjun Chowgule, Managing Director of Chowgule and Company, stated: "The delivery of the final Green Coaster vessel marks the completion of an exceptional project during which we, together with ESL Shipping, have delivered twelve vessels designed for the demanding conditions of Northern Europe. We would like to thank ESL Shipping for their trust, long-term partnership, and shared commitment to high quality throughout the programme. We are extremely proud to see the entire Green Coaster series successfully completed."

According to ESL Shipping, the completion of the series — alongside its ongoing Green Handy investment programme — is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions and support long-term growth in the company's core markets in Northern Europe.

ESL Shipping, a subsidiary of Finnish conglomerate Aspo Plc, operates a fleet of around 40 vessels with cargo capacities ranging from 4,000 to 25,000 DWT and has been in operation for over 75 years. The company positions itself as a carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, serving industries and energy production year-round, including in difficult ice conditions.