"Ferry connections are vital for Estonia and especially for our island communities. They support everyday life, local businesses and access to essential services. This new fully electric ferry will make that connection more reliable, modern and environmentally friendly. I am glad that we are moving forward with a Polish shipyard whose experience in demanding maritime conditions will support the delivery of a vessel well suited to Estonia's needs," said Estonian Minister of Infrastructure, Mr Kuldar Leis.

According to Mr Andres Laasma, Director General of Estonian State Fleet, the project supports both fleet modernisation and Estonia's broader transition towards lower-emission maritime transport. "Investing in next-generation vessels is essential for ensuring reliable island connectivity while reducing environmental impact and long-term operating costs," said Laasma. "Despite a challenging global economic environment, we are pleased to move forward with a vessel that combines zero-emission operation in daily service with the resilience required for Baltic operating conditions."

Built for Baltic and Nordic operating conditions

The vessel will be built by Polish shipyard CRIST S.A., an experienced builder of passenger and specialised vessels for technically demanding environments.
"We are very pleased to be involved in projects that contribute to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime transport. At CRIST S.A, we are committed to supporting innovations that help reduce emissions and drive the industry towards a greener future. This project is an important step in that direction," said Aleksander Lech, Commercial Director at CRIST S.A.

CRIST has previously delivered several advanced low-emission vessels, including the fully electric ice-class ferries ALTERA and ELEKTRA operating in Finland.
The ferry will be designed by naval architecture company LMG Marin, whose portfolio includes more than 200 ferries, with a strong leadership on electric and hybrid vessels.
"This project is particularly important for LMG Marin. After the delivery 12 years ago of the ferry for the vessels currently in operation, this contract confirms our long-standing collaboration with Estonian key players," said Vincent Rudelle, member of the Management team at LMG Marin and former Project Manager of the initial Estonian ferry programme.

"It demonstrates our leadership in zero-emission passenger shipping. Over the last 12 months alone, 14 ferries and RoPax vessels based on LMG Marin designs, ranging from 50 to 170 metres, have been contracted. They all integrate large battery systems to significantly reduce their environmental footprint.
This new vessel further strengthens LMG Marin's position as a world leader in the design of low- and zero-emission ferries and RoPax vessels, supporting operators in their transition towards sustainable maritime transport. We are proud to be back in Estonia with this new project."

Fully electric daily operations with extended range capability

As Estonia's first vessel powered 100% by green electricity in daily operations, the new ferry is expected to be up to 64% more energy-efficient than Estonia's existing reference vessel REGULA, which is powered by traditional diesel generators.

Its primary power source will be shore-charged electricity stored in a 3 MWh battery system, enabling fully electric operation on the main island´s Virtsu–Kuivastu route. For extended range, severe weather and emergency operations, the vessel will also be equipped with biodiesel generators, providing an operating range of at least 1,000 nautical miles without refuelling. This hybrid redundancy also makes the vessel technically suitable for additional longer routes.

The ferry will be built to ice class 1B, enabling operation in ice up to 60 cm thick and maintaining standard operational speeds in lighter ice conditions. To improve manoeuvrability and energy efficiency, the vessel will be equipped with next-generation azimuth thrusters at both ends. The thrusters' designed output exceeds the minimum requirements for ice class 1B, providing additional power for vessel operation in heavy ice.

Passenger-focused design and accessibility

At approximately 100 metres in length, the ferry will accommodate up to 110 passenger vehicles or 8 freight trucks, with capacity for up to 380 passengers.
The vessel is planned with a strong focus on functionality, passenger comfort and contemporary design. Onboard amenities will include a professional kitchen and restaurant area serving hot meals, as well as accommodation and recreational facilities for crew members. Special attention is also given to accessibility, with dedicated solutions for passengers with reduced mobility, as well as blind and visually impaired travellers.

Delivery scheduled for 2028

Under the contract, CRIST S.A. will deliver the vessel within 30 months of contract signing, with entry into service expected in late 2028.
The total value of the design and construction contract is EUR 49.93 million. The project is supported by EUR 28 million from the European Union Modernisation Fund, with additional financing secured through Estonia's CO2 funding mechanisms.

© Shippax