Estonia’s New State Vessel Runs on Cow Manure Biomethane

Estonia’s state fleet will soon receive a new work vessel powered by biomethane produced from cow manure on the island of Saaremaa. Baltic Workboats is completing final preparations for the handover.

Local farms send manure to the Tahula biogas plant, which converts it into usable fuel. The plant requires five loads of manure, roughly the daily output of one and a half large farms, to fill one fuel container.

The vessel carries three containers onboard, with another three in rotation for refueling at any of Estonia’s biogas stations. Depending on speed, the ship can travel 300 to 500 nautical miles on a single container.

Margus Vanaselja, chairman of the board of Baltic Workboats, believes this is a global first, developed by Estonian engineers and companies. The captain of the work vessel, Ernst Siniorg, noted the ship’s performance is what matters most, regardless of fuel source.