Estonia seeks a novel icebreaker specifically designed for shipping equipment necessary for sea cable repairs.
Estonia's icebreaker service is set for an upgrade as the country plans to construct a new multifunctional icebreaker to replace the current Tarmo, which is over six decades old. This new vessel, scheduled for completion by 2029, will not only have icebreaking capabilities but will also carry undersea cable repair equipment to address damage in the Gulf of Finland and other areas.
The project's budget is a key concern. The estimated total cost is approximately €122 million, with the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) allocating €33.6 million. However, this falls short of the needed funding, with negotiations underway to secure the remaining nearly €90 million during the autumn's state budget strategy discussions in 2025.
In the meantime, the Tarmo icebreaker will continue to operate until 2028, bridging the operational gap. It is likely that Estonia may live without a functioning icebreaker for more than a year, as the new vessel is not expected to be operational before 2029.
The positive response for the icebreaker project from the EU foundation was received in early July, signalling a promising start for the initiative. As the discussions on the state budget progress, Estonia's icebreaker service is poised for a significant transformation.
References: [1] Estonian Public Broadcasting. (2022, July 1). Estonia to get new icebreaker for €122 million. Retrieved from https://news.err.ee/1163998/estonia-to-get-new-icebreaker-for-122-million
[2] BNS News. (2022, July 1). Estonia to build new icebreaker for €122 million. Retrieved from https://www.bnsnews.ee/en/news/estonia-to-build-new-icebreaker-for-122-million
The projected transformation of Estonia's icebreaker service calls for significant funding, with a considerable portion coming from the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility, specifically €33.6 million. (Finance)
With the new icebreaker set to house undersea cable repair equipment and boost the transportation sector, industry stakeholders eagerly anticipate its launch in 2029. (Industry, Transportation)
