Estonia is moving forward with plans to build a new icebreaker in collaboration with Finland, as the country prepares to retire its aging vessel, Tarmo, within the next three years. With Estonia’s existing icebreaking fleet nearing the end of its operational life, the new ship is considered a critical investment to ensure continued maritime operations.
Currently, Estonia operates three vessels with icebreaking capabilities, two of which are approaching obsolescence. The Tarmo will be decommissioned due to extensive wear and tear, making repairs impractical. The replacement vessel will need to meet evolving demands, not only for icebreaking but also for broader maritime operations.
“The risks we currently see at sea, particularly related to our maritime infrastructure, highlight the need for enhanced capabilities beyond icebreaking. The new vessel must be versatile enough to deploy different devices, strengthen our limited oil spill response capacity, and support naval operations,” Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet (SDE) told Aktuaalne kaamera on Tuesday.
Estonia Seeks €60 Million in EU Funding for New Icebreaker
Despite increasingly mild winters, maintaining the existing three vessels costs the state approximately €8 million annually, with fuel expenses rising by an additional €1 million during icebreaking operations.
The estimated cost of the new icebreaker is €120 million, with Estonia requesting €60 million from the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility to fund half of the project. The remaining cost will be covered by the state budget. However, there is currently no contingency plan if the funding application is unsuccessful.
“Under this program, new icebreaker construction and upgrades have already received funding in Finland and Sweden. That gives me confidence in this project—it aligns perfectly with EU objectives for enhancing icebreaking capabilities,” said State Fleet Director Andres Laasma.
“If we do not receive EU funding, we will have to consider other financing options. Fully covering the cost with state funds alone would be a significant financial challenge,” Svet admitted.
A Push for Greener and More Efficient Icebreaking
The new vessel is expected to be significantly more environmentally friendly and efficient than its predecessor. The Tarmo currently consumes an average of two tons of fuel per hour at full power, a figure the government aims to reduce through alternative fuels.
“We are committed to ensuring the new ship runs on alternative fuels. Whether it will use methanol or HVO-type fuel will be determined in the design phase. Our goal is to make it as environmentally friendly as possible. While achieving zero emissions remains uncertain, we are working towards that objective,” Laasma added.
The Estonian government hopes to finalize the funding strategy by the end of the summer, paving the way for the design and construction of the new icebreaker.