Polish Shipyard CRIST to Build €50 Million Electric Ferry for Estonia

The Polish shipyard CRIST has won a tender to design and build a new electric passenger and vehicle ferry for Estonia in a contract valued at nearly €50 million. The vessel will operate on routes connecting Estonia’s islands and represents another important step in the modernization of Baltic maritime transport.

According to the tender specifications, the ferry will be powered primarily by electricity using batteries charged from shore-based infrastructure. The environmentally friendly vessel will be capable of carrying up to 380 passengers and 110 cars or eight trucks. To ensure operational reliability in emergency situations, the ship will also be equipped with biodiesel-powered backup generators.

The new ferry is expected to replace the aging vessel Regula, which was built in 1971 and currently serves Estonian island connections. The project includes both the design and construction phases, meaning CRIST will cooperate closely with the shipowner in developing the final appearance and technical configuration of the vessel.

Delivery of the ferry is scheduled for the end of 2028. The investment will receive substantial support from the European Union, with approximately €28 million coming from the EU Modernisation Fund.

The contract marks another significant achievement for CRIST, a shipyard increasingly recognized for its expertise in advanced and environmentally sustainable shipbuilding projects. The company has previously specialized in offshore and renewable-energy-related maritime structures, including vessels and infrastructure for the offshore wind sector.