ESL Shipping will in future handle sea freight for the Swedish steel manufacturer Stegra. The agreement covers both raw materials and finished steel products for the company’s new plant in Boden.
The Finnish shipping company ESL Shipping has signed a long-term agreement with Stegra for the transport of raw materials and steel products. Stegra is currently building a plant in Boden, northern Sweden, for the large-scale production of hydrogen, iron and steel with significantly reduced CO₂ emissions.
The companies have not yet provided further details regarding transport volumes, the duration of the agreement or the planned shipments.
For ESL Shipping, the agreement strengthens its business with industrial customers in Northern Europe. “Maritime transport is a key component of our logistics network,” emphasises Jenny Marin, Head of Logistics at Stegra. ESL Shipping’s experience in Northern Europe and the companies’ shared decarbonisation goals were decisive factors in the collaboration.
ESL Managing Director Mikki Koskinen described the contract as an important step for the shipping company. The company aims to support Stegra in the long term with sea transport for the supply chains at its Boden site.
ESL completes ‘Green Coaster’ series in India
At the same time, ESL Shipping is investing in the renewal of its fleet. The programme comprises twelve so-called ‘Green Coasters’, each with a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 5,400, as well as four ‘Green Handy’ vessels with a dwt of 17,000. The larger vessels are to be fitted with methanol dual-fuel propulsion systems. With the delivery of the “Luxomar”, ESL Shipping recently completed its new-build programme for twelve plug-in hybrid coastal vessels. The 5,400 tdw freighter is set to embark on its maiden voyage from India to Europe.
ESL Shipping is part of the Finnish Aspo Group and operates around 40 vessels with deadweight tonnages ranging from 4,000 to 25,000 tdw. Stegra was founded in 2020 as H2 Green Steel and has been trading under its current name since 2024.
