Estonian State Fleet plans to build battery-powered electric ferry

Maritime transportation firm Estonian State Fleet has issued a tender to design and construct a new battery-powered electric ferry to serve Estonia's main islands.

PHOTO: Estonian State Fleet’s battery-powered electric ferry concept. Estonian State Fleet

Although the impact of this small-scale electric vessel on global greenhouse gas emissions will be limited, the project will provide crucial technical and operational insights once the ferry is operational, and potentially help develop bigger electric ocean-going vessels in the future.

The ferry’s primary power source will be shore-charged green electricity stored in its batteries, with conventional-powered auxiliary generators supporting operations during extreme ice conditions, the Estonian State Fleet says.

It will have a capacity to carry up to 500 passengers and around 130 vehicles. It will primarily serve the Virtsu-Kuivastu route in Estonia, but will also be suitable for the Rohuküla-Heltermaa route when needed.

The Estonian State Fleet has set 10 December as the deadline for tender submissions.

The project will be funded by the European Modernisation Fund and revenues from CO2 emissions trading.

By Tuhin Roy

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