Finland’s ESL Shipping has come through a weak bulker market with a record third-quarter profit, but warned of problems ahead.

The Aspo-owned company said operating earnings reached €9.7m ($9.6m) to 30 September, from €7.1m in the same period of 2022.

The owner called this an “excellent” performance, especially considering more modest market conditions and the “historical change” of abandoning cargo flows from Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and resulting sanctions.