AtoB@C Shipping, Yara International extend sustainability-driven cooperation

AtoB@C Shipping, a Swedish subsidiary of Finland-based shipping company ESL Shipping, and Norway’s Yara International, a crop nutrition company and a provider of environmental and agricultural solutions, have extended the existing contract of affreightment (COA) until 2033.

As explained, the extended contract ensures that AtoB@C Shipping will continue to serve Yara’s factories across Northern Europe.

This will be done with the help of the Green Coaster vessels, optimized for a variety of bulk and breakbulk products. The vessels are said to offer a sustainable solution to maritime transport.

Last year, the 2000-founded Swedish shortsea operator added to its fleet a total of five new plug-in hybrid coasters. The fifth battery hybrid unit, Maximar, joined the shipping company in December 2024. The next-gen vessels have a deadweight of 5,350 dwt and guarantee 50% less CO2 emissions compared to the present generation of vessels.

“The contract extension is a testament to long-term demand from the Nordic industry. This collaboration between AtoB@C Shipping and Yara is a testament to the evolving landscape of industrial transport, where sustainability is becoming a key driver of long-term partnerships,” Frida Rowland, Commercial Director of AtoB@C Shipping, commented.

“AtoB@C Shipping is part of Yara’s Core-Owner group and we are pleased to extend our good cooperation with AtoB@C Shipping and continue working together for long-term solutions to improve efficiency and reduce emissions of our maritime transports which is in line with Yara’s Core-Owner policy,” Norbert Huys, Senior Manager of Short Sea Chartering at Yara Maritime Logistics, said.

The Swedish shipping firm has been part of ESL Shipping since 2018. ESL Shipping has ambitious targets to reduce emission intensity by 30% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040. Together, the group has over 40 vessels with cargo capacities ranging from 4,000 to 25,000 dwt.

The company is committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative and holds the Platinum medal in Ecovadis sustainability rating.