ESL Shipping: Methanol newbuildings exceed expectations

September 15, 2025

The Finnish shipping company is planning to build a new series of methanol-powered ships. Following successful model tests, the steel work can begin soon.

The Finnish company ESL Shipping, which specializes in bulk and general cargo, is relying on methanol propulsion for a new Handy Size series.

ESL Shipping is currently planning four new ships under the project name “Green Handy”. As the company has now announced, work is progressing according to plan. The model tests carried out at the SSPA test center in Gothenburg have confirmed that the performance of the new ships corresponds to the calculations.

ESL Shipping to start steel construction in 2026

“The results not only confirmed our performance targets, but even slightly exceeded them. The tests provided valuable insights into the behavior of the hull,” says Technical Director Janne Eklöf.

Saila Piipari, who previously worked as a construction supervisor for the Green Coaster project, has now joined the Green Handy project. She is initially working on the planning in Finland before traveling to China to supervise the construction at the shipyard.

Extensive preparations are necessary before the first steel can be cut at the Chinese shipyard once the contract has been signed. These include plan approval and finalizing all the main suppliers for the ship, including engines, hybrid system and loading cranes.

“The design work is progressing well and we are working closely with Deltamarin and the shipyard to ensure that the final design meets our requirements,” explains Technical Superintendent Saila Piipari.

“Our success in new build projects is based on keeping ship operation and shipbuilding expertise in-house. These projects also offer excellent opportunities for internal job rotation,” says Managing Director Mikki Koskinen.

Steel production for the ships is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with delivery of the first ship planned for the third quarter of 2027.