According to Andres Laasma, Director General of the State Fleet, the submitted bids reflect the current situation in the European shipbuilding market where shipbuilding volumes in Europe have increased significantly in recent years, and the negotiations held with shipbuilders during the tender also showed that the budget set by the state – EUR 41.9 million - is a considerable challenge for shipyards.

All of this is reflected in the number of bids submitted, Laasma pointed out. The new ferry must be at least 66% more energy-efficient than the current reference vessel, the 1971-built 3,774 GT and 800 passenger/105 cars REGULA.

The ferry’s main power source is planned to be green electricity charged from shore and stored in batteries. For special situations, the vessel will also be equipped with auxiliary generators powered by biodiesel. The ferry is designed to carry approximately 110 cars and at least 300 passengers.

REGULA is by far the oldest of TS Laevad’s fleet. The remaining four ferries are all built between 2016 and 2017 – two at Remontowa, Poland – and two at Sefine, Turkey. REGULA which never has changed its name, was originally built by Jos L Meyer (the present Meyer Werft) for Rederi AB Svea’s Linjebuss operation between Helsingborg and Helsingør.

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