Nordic Yards Group, a joint venture between Estonian shipbuilding company Baltic Workboats and Työvene, has signed a contract with the Belgium state enterprise DAB Vloot to design and build an environmentally friendly 80-meter pilot boat. The 42-month construction period project includes an option for a second equivalent vessel, bringing the total transaction volume up to 110 million euros.
“This contract is a significant milestone in Estonian and Finnish shipbuilding history and demonstrates that our company is capable of competing for the most complex and demanding international projects,” said Baltic Workboats owner and chairman Margus Vanaselja. „Winning this bid not only marks our first joint build but will really put our teamwork to the test. I couldn’t be more optimistic about what we can achieve together.”
“Securing this tender alongside Baltic Workboats is a significant achievement that highlights the value of our strong partnership. With over 60 years of combined expertise and nearly 500 specialized vessels built, we have established a robust foundation for undertaking projects of this scale. ‘Great teams achieve great things,’ says Työvene CEO Juha Granqvist.
The construction period for DAB Vloot’s first vessel is 42 months, of which 12 months are allocated for design, given the large scope of the project.
The high-tech pilot station vessel will operate in the North Sea and is 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 optimizes energy use, reducing CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.
Environmental sustainability is the project’s keyword. The vessel is designed with readiness to transition to methanol fuel in the future, setting a direction for the maritime green transition.
The vessel is designed to be seaworthy, as it must be able to operate in all weather conditions as a base vessel for smaller pilot boats. The ship can operate at full functionality in wave heights of up to 4 meters and accommodates 20 crew members and 12 pilots, who are provided with modern living and working conditions.
Baltic Workboats AS is an Estonian capital-based shipyard operating in Saaremaa, producing high-tech workboats for clients worldwide. In January 2023, Baltic Workboats and Finnish shipbuilding company Työvene Oy established a joint shipbuilding company called Nordic Yards Group.
Uudenkaupungin Työvene Oy is a Finnish shipbuilding company located in Uusikaupunki, specializing in tailor made vessels for professional use.
DAB VLOOT is a shipping company specialising in government vessels. Through the agency Maritime Services and Coast, it is part of the Flemish government and is responsible for smooth and safe shipping traffic.
