ESL Shipping christens new hybrid vessel Astramar in Raahe

ESL Shipping unveiled its new hybrid vessel, the Astramar, at the Port of Raahe on September 21. The christening ceremony, conducted by Member of the European Parliament Merja Kyllonen, marked the official opening of the port's new Deep Quay 3. Astramar is part of ESL Shipping's 12 Green Coaster fleet, consisting of 5,400 dwt plug-in hybrid vessels. The final vessel in the series, Luxomar, was delivered in early September.

The Green Coasters are specifically designed for demanding industrial cargoes in Northern European conditions. On her maiden voyage, Astramar carried wind turbine components, showcasing the vessel's versatility for a wide range of project cargoes. This demonstrates the Green Coasters' capability to serve both established industrial cargo flows and the needs of renewable energy projects.

Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping, highlighted the benefits of the Green Coaster series, stating that it combines improved energy efficiency, flexible cargo handling, and reliable performance in challenging northern conditions. The vessels' bridge-forward design offers a large, unobstructed deck area, while the 60-meter clear cargo hold and movable tweendecks provide flexibility for various cargo sizes, including oversized loads.