Estonian State Fleet has signed a design and shipbuilding contract with Polish shipyard CRIST SA for the construction of Estonia's first fully electric passenger ferry, with delivery scheduled for late 2028.

The vessel, designed by naval architecture company LMG Marin, will operate primarily on shore-charged electricity stored in a 3 MWh battery system. According to Estonian State Fleet, the ferry is expected to be up to 64% more energy-efficient than the existing diesel-powered vessel Regula.

The contract, signed on 20 May, is valued at €49.93m. The project is supported by €28m from the European Union Modernisation Fund, with additional financing secured through Estonia's CO₂ funding mechanisms.

Estonian Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis commented: "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."

The approximately 100-metre vessel will accommodate up to 110 passenger vehicles or eight freight trucks, with capacity for up to 380 passengers. It will be built to ice class 1B, enabling operation in ice up to 60 cm thick.

While designed for fully electric operation on the Virtsu–Kuivastu route, the ferry will be equipped with biodiesel generators for extended range, severe weather and emergency operations, providing an operating range of at least 1,000 nautical miles without refuelling.

Andres Laasma, Director General of Estonian State Fleet, remarked: "Investing in next-generation vessels is essential for ensuring reliable island connectivity while reducing environmental impact and long-term operating costs. 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."

CRIST SA has previously delivered fully electric ice-class ferries Altera and Elektra, which operate in Finland. Aleksander Lech, Commercial Director at CRIST SA, stated: "We are very pleased to be involved in projects that contribute to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime transport."

LMG Marin's portfolio includes more than 200 ferries. Vincent Rudelle, member of the management team at LMG Marin, noted: "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."

Under the contract, CRIST SA will deliver the vessel within 30 months of contract signing.