ESL Shipping 75 years
"This book represents our appreciation to everyone who, over the past decades, have worked tirelessly and contributed to building ESL Shipping into what we are today." - Managing Director Mikki Koskinen
ESL Shipping is proud to present its 75th anniversary book, ESL Shipping – 75 Years. Authored by Olli Tuominen, this richly illustrated volume chronicles the company’s journey from its modest beginnings in 1949 to its current role as a pioneer in sustainable maritime logistics.
The book traces ESL Shipping’s origins to the 1920s and the inception of Polttoaine Osuuskunta, a cooperative founded to secure fuel for Helsinki’s housing companies. It follows the evolution from second-hand steamers to a modern fleet of purpose-built, ice-classed vessels designed for Baltic Sea operations.
Readers are taken through the company’s strategic growth, including long-standing partnerships with industrial giants such as Rautaruukki and SSAB and the acquisition of AtoB@C Shipping, whose history is also covered in the book. The book also reflects on the company’s resilience through challenging times, such as the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the geopolitical shifts following the war in Ukraine - all of which tested the company’s adaptability.
Looking ahead, the book details ESL Shipping’s vision for the future, including the largest investment in the company’s history for four methanol-powered vessels scheduled for delivery in 2027–2028. These ships will enable fossil-free sea transport and mark a significant step toward a more sustainable and diversified fleet.
The hardcover is available for purchase at Forum Marinum in Turku and the The Maritime Museum of Finland in Kotka, with all proceeds supporting the museums' important work in preserving Finnish maritime history. The ebook is available on the company website.
For more information about the book, please contact:
