Estonia adds compressed biomethane-powered vessel to state fleet

Estonia’s state fleet has taken delivery of the 22 million euro vessel Kratt, which runs on compressed biomethane, ERR reported on Wednesday. The 38-metre ship will be used to install navigation marks, conduct research and, when necessary, respond to pollution incidents.

The multifunctional workboat was built at the Baltic Workboats shipyard in Nasva and has been named Kratt. Its developers say the vessel’s green biomethane technology is ahead of global standards and could become an export product based on technology developed in Estonia.

“The state fleet’s task is also to show the market which technologies are reliable and which can be used in shipping,” state fleet director general Andres Laasma said. He added that compressed biomethane had proven itself on land but not yet at sea, making the vessel a test platform as well as an example of the direction in which maritime technology could develop.

Baltic Workboats board chairman Margus Vanaselja said Estonia and the shipbuilder had once again demonstrated their ability to create and build complex projects. He said the vessel could be sold in Norway and elsewhere in the world where green technologies are valued.

Captain Sander Laus, who has worked with the vessel on land and at the quay for about a year, said he was eager to take it to sea. He previously carried out buoy work on the more than 30-year-old buoy tender Sektor.

“This vessel certainly has many more comforts and is much more technologically advanced. It is needed by the Estonian state and will make our work considerably easier,” Laus said.

The previous state fleet vessel was completed eight years ago. The next new ferry for Estonia’s larger islands is expected to be completed in two years and will also use alternative fuel, in this case electricity.