Aspo Plc’s shipping subsidiary, ESL Shipping, has sold its 21,353-dwt self-discharging bulk carrier Kallio to The Qrill Company AS for approximately €18 million. The transaction is expected to generate a sales gain of around €10 million for Aspo.
The 2006-built ice-class vessel, which has sailed under the Finnish flag, has now been handed over to the new owner, operating in the marine feed ingredients sector. ESL Shipping intends to reassign the vessel’s crew to its other vessels wherever possible.
Aspo stated that the divestment aligns with its strategy to accelerate the green transition of ESL Shipping and strengthen financing for new vessels currently under construction.
“We are investing heavily in Green Handy vessels, which can operate fossil-free and carry an ice class of 1A. Development of the Green Handies has progressed according to plan. By divesting m/s Kallio, we strengthen ESL Shipping’s balance sheet and implement our strategy,” said Rolf Jansson, CEO of Aspo and chairman of ESL Shipping.
Mikki Koskinen, managing director of ESL Shipping, added, “The first new generation Green Handy vessel will join our fleet in about two years. During the transition period, we will consider chartering or acquiring additional vessels as needed.”
Currently, ESL Shipping and AtoB@C Shipping operate a combined fleet of approximately 40 vessels, with cargo capacities ranging from 4,000 to 25,000 dwt.