Estonian State Fleet has applied for financing the transport project of the European Cremard Fund (CEF) for the construction of a new environmentally friendly icebreaker, ERR.
According to GOSTERARIO, the cost of an icebreaker is almost 122 million euros, and the corresponding measure will cover about half the cost of construction. The remaining costs will need to be compensated by the state budget.
“Although the last winters were relatively soft in terms of weather conditions, we must take into account the need to maintain our sea paths free from ice during the cold period,- said the Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Light.
In addition, the minister said that it should be borne in mind that the designed vessel is intended not only for icebreaking, but also for performing various tasks, such as protecting underwater infrastructure.
At present, Estonia has three icebreakers: Tarmo, Eva-316 and Botnitsa, captivated by the state. Of these, Eva -316 acts mainly in the Parknu Gulf, the other two in the Gulf of Finland. Meanwhile, the Tarmo ship, built in 1963, according to current plans, will complete its operation in 2028. Eva-316 has been operating in the sea for 43 years. On average, the icebreaker is considered 50 years.
According to the General Director of the State Fleet Andres Laasma, the construction of a new icebreaker can take at least 3-4 years.
The results of the CEF qualifying tour will be published in August this year. In total, 2.5 billion euros will be allocated for the construction and modernization of the European transport infrastructure taking into account the current round of applications.