Mikki Koskinen took over as managing director of ESL Shipping in spring 2013. He previously occupied the same post at maritime logistics provider and shipowner Meriaura Group in Turku. He has a master’s in logistics and has always worked on the commercial side of shipping and chartering.

Technical manager Janne Eklof joined the company almost 15 years ago as a superintendent. A naval architect by training, he earlier worked at Helsinki Shipyard when that yard was building big cruiseships for the likes of Carnival Corp and Costa Cruises.

Both say cohesion among the staff at ESL is exceptionally strong. “People normally have long careers in the company,” Koskinen says.

Developing new ships like the latest LNG bulkers makes for a great working environment. “People take pride in what they do,” says Eklof.

Koskinen credits Eklof’s team for the flexibility. “Janne’s guys are great at solving problems on location. They just go and fix it together with the crew.”

Trust is also important, in the office and outside. “It’s a typically Scandinavian way of thinking,” Koskinen says.

While Koskinen and Eklof both attend lessons the company holds every Friday for staff who want to learn Russian, away from work family activities take up most of their time.

Like many ESL employees, both have young children. “It’s good for company spirit. Everyone turns up and does the work but we have to respect that part of life as well,” Koskinen says.