Since its joint headquarters were set up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong in 2006, Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) has grown from a boutique carrier to a global Top 25 shipping liner.

Today, ESL connects opportunities for its customers and partners in markets across the Middle East, Far East, Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Red Sea, East Africa, and the Americas. The liner has expanded steadily over two decades, becoming a carrier of choice for customers and partners alike.

Since its establishment in 2006, ESL has expanded steadily, sizing up its fleet, which now operates over 20 vessels carrying a total capacity of around 98,000 nominal TEU.

The liner has expanded its network coverage to new markets, re-entering the Americas just last year while enhancing connectivity between existing regions served through the continued optimization of routes and the addition of new services. On top of port-to-port connectivity, ESL's reach has extended further inland with intermodal solutions covering India, the African hinterlands, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and more.

Since setting roots in Hong Kong, ESL has been an active player in the local market.

In early 2025, the local team of over 50 staff moved to a new office in the Wanchai district to get closer in proximity to its customers and partners. As one of the company's regional offices, ESL Hong Kong serves many major customers across Asia, leveraging the city's strategic proximity to Mainland China and its role as a gateway to the region. The Hong Kong office works in close collaboration with ESL's head office in Dubai and its fellow regional office in Singapore to deliver seamless, cross-regional solutions.

This year, ESL celebrates 20 years of connecting opportunities. Two decades on, one thing remains consistent - ESL's people-first culture lies at the heart of its operations. The liner continues to curate personalized customer experiences, as their expert teams remain ever ready to walk their customers through shipping processes on the ground.

Most recently, in light of the crisis in the Middle East, ESL's commitment to creating innovative network solutions for its customers and partners is more apparent than ever. Facing the crisis head-on, ESL readily innovates, testing and implementing alternative solutions to keep cargo moving, with the safety of its teams and seafarers in the region remaining a key priority.

Beyond facilitating regional trade growth, ESL plays an active role in shipping and shaping the future of the maritime sector. In 2025, the liner joined the World Shipping Council (WSC) to drive crucial discussions with fellow industry experts.

More notably, the liner participates in WSC's Cargo Safety Program, which combines AI-powered screening technology and standardized inspection methodologies to help carriers identify misdeclared or undeclared high-risk goods before they are loaded on board. ESL's active advocacy for the Program underscores the liner's dedication to ensuring the safety of its seafarers and assets, and the minimization of harm to the environment.

In addition, ESL is taking steps to achieve global climate goals and promote sustainable trade growth. The liner continually reviews its fleet - not long ago, it redesigned the vessel's propellers to increase flow and efficiency and reduce overall carbon emissions.

The liner also refreshed paint coats, switching from typical copper-based ones, which are toxic to marine life, to silicon-based ones to reduce drag and thereby greenhouse gas emissions through increasing fuel efficiency. Operational procedures have also been streamlined, with routings being optimized based on real-time weather data.

Moving ahead, ESL strives to remain a carrier of choice in existing markets while expanding to new ones.

For the past 20 years, ESL's agility in adapting to the ever-changing global landscape has positioned the liner well in keeping opportunities connected for customers and partners alike. In the next 20 years, the liner looks forward to driving growth alongside its markets and its teams.

https://www.emiratesline.com