The State Fleet plans to purchase a new ferry for the Virtsu-Kuivastu route. Four different shipyards are participating in the procurement. One of them is the Estonian company Baltic Workboats AS together with BLRT. Other participants are the Dutch shipyard B.V. Scheepswerf Damen Hardinxveld and the Polish shipyards Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. and CRIST S.A.
Hannes Ojangu, Director of the Development Service of the State Fleet, says that discussions regarding the technical specifications of the vessel will begin in September. The goal is to clarify the ship's parameters. The procurement will be conducted as a competitive dialogue. This means that participants can offer the best price and quality.
The budget for the new ferry is 41.9 million euros. The ship must be energy-efficient. The main energy source is green electricity, which will be stored in batteries. Additionally, the ship will have bio-diesel-powered auxiliary generators for emergencies.
Project manager Jorma Kaldasaun says that the new ferry must accommodate at least 110 cars and 300 passengers. The ship will also have warm food available to ensure passenger comfort. The ice class of the current ferries is 1A, but a lower ice class is planned for the new vessel.
This is the State Fleet's third attempt to find a builder for the fifth ferry. It is hoped that the construction contract will be signed by the end of this year.