Western Baltija Shipbuilding (WBS) in Lithuania has been commissioned by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority to build a new vessel, designed for waste management, and which is said to be a symbol of Lithuania’s progress and its commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Under current regulations, all ships arriving at or departing from the Port of Klaipėda are required to dispose of all ship-generated waste at a port reception facility. The Port Authority has been entrusted to provide a waste collection service. In order to further increase the quality of its service for waste collection from ships, the company has decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to achieve this.
Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis said: “I am glad that this modern vessel, which meets the highest environmental protection requirements, is being built in Klaipėda. This is extremely relevant and significant not only for Lithuania, but also on a global scale. In Lithuania, we have all the conditions to implement the most advanced maritime transport and infrastructure development projects. I hope this will provide a strong impetus for our shipping industry, leading to the production of more such vessels in our port city. This is also a great example of how our companies can promote innovation and set an example for the entire market.”
Algis Latakas, Director General, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, added: “The Port Authority has undertaken very ambitious projects in recent years. In a couple of years, the company will become the first one in Lithuania not only to produce green hydrogen, but also to have a hydrogen-powered ship. It will also clean other ships entering the port by collecting waste from them without leaving an environmental footprint. We are proud that a new, modern, and environmentally friendly tanker is being built not somewhere abroad, but here in Lithuania, at the Port of Klaipėda.”
The hull, superstructure, and wheelhouse will be constructed at Western Baltija Shipbuilding in Klaipėda, along with the installation of cargo systems and other works. Estonian company Baltic Workboats is responsible for the installation of the main and auxiliary machinery, and the harmonisation and testing of all the ship systems. The hydrogen fuel cell system will be installed in Estonia.
Arnoldas Šileika, CEO Western Shipyard Group said: “The realisation of this historically significant project, which generates a high added value, is a double success for us. First of all, we are building an advanced ship for our own country, Lithuania, which is an honour and a great commitment and responsibility. We are also implementing the project together with our Estonian partners, and this cooperation once again demonstrates a strong business partnership between the two countries. I have no doubt that by consolidating our competencies we will achieve the best possible result that will benefit Lithuania for many years to come.”
Jüri Taal, Board Member Baltic Workboats said: “The project is a great milestone for the Baltic Workboats and we are extremely satisfied to be able to deliver such a modern ship to our Baltic neighbours in Klaipeda. It will be the first tanker type vessel ever built with Baltic Workboats participation and in addition to electric propulsion solution in which Baltic Workboats has extensive expertise it will be the first vessel to be fitted with hydrogen power plant in Baltic Workboats portfolio. We would also like to highlight the co-operation between us and Western Shipyard Group in building the vessel – by combining the expertise of the companies we are confident that the vessel will be modern and green addition to port of Klaipeda fleet.”
The main challenge for the shipbuilders is to design and build a ship for the collection of oily bilge water, sewage, sludge, and other waste. It will need to be equipped with waste collection tanks and an oily bilge water treatment plant that will treat the waste waters and transfer everything along with the sewage to the city’s onshore waste water treatment plant. It is envisaged that the ship will operate on a 24-hour basis.
The tanker is 42m long and 10m wide, and will be able to collect 400m3 of liquid waste. It will be equipped with two electric motors powered by batteries with a capacity of 2000kWh and an installed on-board hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of works, the ship will be able to operate within the Port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours on a single charge.
The ship is expected to begin operation in the Port of Klaipėda at the end of 2025.
Image: Hydrogen-fuelled tanker for Klaipėda (source: Port of Klaipėda)
