Baltic Workboats, in partnership with Western Baltija Shipbuilding (part of BLRT Grupp), has signed a contract to construct the hull of an advanced 80-meter pilot boat for Vloot DAB, the Belgian state-owned fleet operator.
The vessel will serve as a critical support platform for pilot operations in Belgian waters, ensuring safe and efficient maritime navigation. The design prioritizes stability, endurance, and onboard working conditions, aligning with Vloot DAB’s operational requirements. The vessel will measure 80 meters in length and 13.3 meters in beam. It is designed to maintain speeds of up to 14 knots in sea conditions with a significant wave height of 2.8 meters.
“This marks a major milestone for Baltic Workboats as the largest vessel ever undertaken by the company,” said Margus Vanaselja, CEO of Baltic Workboats. “It also represents another successful collaboration with BLRT Grupp AS, following our previous project — the 42-meter fully electric waste collection tanker for the Port of Klaipeda. Once again, this partnership demonstrates that by combining our expertise, we can deliver complex, large-scale vessels that might otherwise be beyond our individual capacities.”
Designed for a crew of 20, the vessel will also accommodate up to 12 pilots (10 standard and 2 additional based on operational requirements). The high-tech pilot boat will be equipped with an environmentally friendly diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. The vessel’s unique energy system consists of six Volvo Penta diesel generators with a total capacity of 3750 kW and a battery bank with 1130 kWh capacity. The smart control system automatically optimises energy use, reducing CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.
“We are delighted to start another project with Baltic Workboats with whom we have a good track record of successful projects” added Vitalij Frolov, CEO Western Baltija shipbuilding. “Baltic Workboats have proven to be a reliable partner, giving us the confidence to take on challenging and large-scale projects together also in the future.”
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