In connection with an expected increase in demand on Estonia's Virtsu-Kuivastu ferry route in the coming years, Port of Tallinn subsidiary TS Laevad and the Estonian Road Administration have entered into an agreement for the provision of at least 500 additional voyages on the said route each year for the period June 1, 2020, to September 30, 2026.
From 2020 to 2022, the route will be served by TS Laevad's Ro-Pax ferry Regula (pictured) and a second vessel, which is yet to be designated. For the remainder of the period covered in the agreement, the additional voyages are expected to be served by a newbuild ferry.
The Estonian government has stipulated that the new vessel must have ice class notation, be environmentally friendly, and also be capable of sailing on the Rohuküla-Heltermaa ferry route even during periods of low sea level. It must also have an LOA not exceeding 114 metres, a maximum draught of 3.5 metres, and capacity for 300 passengers and 120 cars or eight 19-metre semi-trailer trucks.
TS Laevad plans to organise a tender for the construction of the additional ferry in the second half of 2020 after the completion of design work.
