A new generation of 5,400dwt coasters introduced by a Finnish-owned Swedish company is claimed to cut CO₂ emissions per cargo unit by as much as 50%, relative to existing vessels of similar size.

The investment programme implemented by Finnish dry bulk specialist ESL Shipping through its Swedish short-sea subsidiary, Ystad-based AtoB@C Shipping, is remarkable both for its scale, entailing 12 newbuilds, and for the innovative nature of the design involved.

The project also signifies a further advance in the export market for Indian shipbuilding contractor Chowgule & Co, from whom the entire series was ordered in three tranches, the initial six-ship commitment worth EUR70m($77m) having dated from September 2021.