The Estonian State Fleet has entrusted the also coming from Estonia Baltic Workboats (BWB) with designing and constructing a new multi-purpose ship.

The €22 million contract, supported by NextGenerationEU, will see BWB delivering the 40 by 10 metres, max speed of 12 knots vessel in 2026 (exact parameters of the workboat will be determined during the detail design process).

"The new workboat will enhance the capacity for regular buoy tender works, maintenance of waterways, scientific research, pollution monitoring and response and search and rescue missions in Estonian waters," BWB detailed in a press brief.

The company also underlined, "The multi-purpose vessel will be Estonia's first 100% alternatively fuelled workboat that will use sustainable biomethane as the main fuel, thanks to which it will be possible to minimize the ship's CO2 emissions. In addition, the ship will be equipped with a battery bank that allows the operation of the ship also in 100% electric mode with zero emissions."

Andres Laasma, Director General of the Estonian State Fleet, said, "We are very pleased that Estonia's first large workboat operating on alternative fuel will be completed right here in Estonia, on the island of Saaremaa. The long-term experience and internationally recognized expertise in the construction of various workboats of the Baltic Workboats gives us comprehensive confidence that the vessel will be built according to the highest quality requirements and exactly as needed considering the specifics of Estonian waters."

Margus Vanaselja, Chairman of BWB's Management Board, added, "When it comes to domestic orders, we perceive the trust of the state and feel a special responsibility. The multi-purpose workboat, developed especially for Estonia and based on green technologies, will later become a reference product for export markets."

Over its 24 years, BWB has delivered more than 230 workboats (incl. as many as 17 last year alone).

Photo: BWB