July 11, 2025
The Estonian State Fleet held an information day last week for companies interested in the renewed public procurement of a new ferry.
- Four foreign and three Estonian-owned companies participated.
- The event covered project funding, ferry requirements, service routes, and procurement details, including criteria, documentation, and timeline.
- Participant questions were answered on-site.
Interested companies must confirm their participation by submitting a request via the Estonian Public Procurement Register by 21 July.
Background
- The aim is to find a suitable contracting partner by the end of 2025.
- The project is 65% financed by the EU Modernisation Fund (Energy-Efficient Low-Emission Public Transport Programme).
- Estonia will contribute around 35% of the total cost.
- Since 2021, two previous procurement attempts failed due to global inflation, raw material shortages, and rising shipbuilding costs.
- The initial €40 million budget, set in 2021, has become outdated as ship prices have risen by nearly 50%.
- The last procurement was cancelled in March after all four bids exceeded the budget.
This is the third attempt to implement the country’s 5th ferry project.
Source: www.riigilaevastik.ee
