Estonia's Kratt Sets Benchmark With Biomethane Battery Hybrid Workboat

Estonian State Fleet's newest multipurpose vessel, Kratt, runs on compressed biomethane and a 400-kWh battery system, setting a new benchmark for sustainable workboats. Built by Baltic Workboats for 22 million euros, the 38-metre vessel combines pollution response, search and rescue, buoy maintenance and marine research in a single platform. Named in Saaremaa on 12 August 2026, it is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter, reducing the need to station multiple vessels across Estonian waters.

 

Overview of the Vessel

 

Estonia has taken delivery of an advanced multipurpose workboat. The 22 million euro vessel was built in Estonia itself. It features hybrid propulsion combining biomethane and battery power. Baltic Workboats designed and built the 38-metre vessel. It was constructed for the Estonian State Fleet.

The vessel serves a remarkably broad range of functions. It will operate in pollution response and rescue operations. Marine research and navigation services also fall within its remit. This versatility sets a new benchmark for sustainable vessels. It reduces the need to station multiple vessels across the country.

 

Propulsion and Environmental Performance

 

The vessel uses a distinctive hybrid propulsion system. It has four 350-kW gas generators fuelled by compressed biomethane. A 400-kWh energy storage system supports electric propulsion. This combination powers both propulsion and onboard systems. It makes the vessel unusual among workboats globally.

The system delivers meaningful operational and environmental benefits. The vessel can travel up to 1,000 nautical miles at 7 knots on biomethane. It can run for up to two hours at 5 knots on batteries alone. At anchor, the battery system provides power for up to 10 hours. This reduces the need to run auxiliary engines, lowering emissions and noise.

 

Multipurpose Capabilities

 

The vessel is designed as a genuinely multipurpose platform. It is equipped for maintenance and deployment of navigation buoys. Fairway and ice-clearance services are also within its scope. It supports search and rescue operations across Estonian waters. Environmental, oceanographic, hydrographic and geological research complete its functions.

This breadth reflects a deliberate fleet strategy. Officials emphasised the need to develop the fleet intelligently. One vessel should perform as many tasks as possible. It should do so with a lower environmental impact. This approach allows essential tasks to be carried out by a single capable vessel.

 

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Emergency Response and Research Equipment

 

The vessel significantly strengthens Estonia's emergency capabilities. It can cover around 25 percent of the country's oil pollution response capacity. It carries a mobile pollution containment and recovery unit. An off-ship firefighting system adds further capability. A daughter craft and advanced search and rescue radar complete its emergency equipment.

The vessel is equally well equipped for research work. It features sonar, towlines and environmental sensors. A 50-square-metre wet and dry laboratory supports scientific work. Researchers can undertake water and sediment sampling and hydrographic surveys. The vessel can also deploy remotely operated and autonomous systems and recover seabed stations.

 

Design and Construction

 

The vessel combines robust design with heavy-duty equipment. It has a beam of 10 metres and an operating draught of 2.5 metres. It accommodates six crew members and up to 10 researchers. It carries enough fuel to operate at sea for up to seven days. Ice Class 1C allows operation in up to 40 centimetres of level ice.

The construction involved international collaboration. Baltic Workboats secured the contract in January 2024. It subcontracted Damen Shipyards to build the ice-resistant hull in Gdansk, Poland. The hull was then transported to Saaremaa for outfitting and integration. The 30-month process was financed through the EU's NextGenerationEU Recovery Fund.

 

Broader Significance and Related Projects

 

The vessel represents a milestone for Estonian shipping. Officials described it as a step toward more sustainable shipping. It shows how a state fleet can become more capable and sustainable. The combination of biomethane and electricity makes it globally distinctive. It serves as an example for others to follow.

The project sits alongside other Baltic Workboats developments. The company is building a semi-autonomous modular search and rescue vessel for a European defence project. It also recently delivered a hydrogen-powered waste collection tanker named Rasa. That vessel uses hydrogen fuel cells and a battery system for zero-emissions operation. These projects reflect the builder's focus on sustainable vessel technology.