The newbuilding program of the shipping company AtoB@C is entering the next phase with the launch of the “Ecomar”. Demand for this type of ship is said to be high, with the series comprising twelve units.
The third 5,350-dwt plug-in hybrid vessel, Ecomar, was launched at the Chowgule shipyard in India in the early morning of January 18. Outfitting, including the final coat of paint, continues at the outfitting quay. The launching of the “Ecomar” paves the way for the final assembly of the blocks of the fourth ship, the “Aquamar”. The ship’s hull blocks will be brought to the slipway for final assembly in the coming weeks. [ds_preview]
The shipyard currently has seven ships in various stages of construction. Construction of the eighth ship in the series began on December 29 with the steel cutting. The “Ecomar” is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of this year. The order comprises twelve ships, with the last delivery expected in the second quarter of 2026. The second ship in the series, the “Stellamar”, was launched on October 1. All other ships are to be sold to a company founded by the pooling investor group.
AtoB@C is a former joint venture between the Leer-based shipping group Briese and the Swedish businessman Anders Nilsson. Today it belongs to the shipping company ESL and the Finnish conglomerate Aspo. The shipping company currently operates a fleet of 35 ships between 3,000 and 6,000 tdw, together with ESL there are 51 freighters between 3,000 and 56,000 – including the then innovative “Viikki” and “Haaga”.
“The demand for this type of vessel from both existing and new customers is high and we are eagerly awaiting the next vessels to enter service,” says Commercial Director of AtoB@C Shipping & ESL Shipping, Frida Rowland.
