Flotte Hamburg’s fleet embarks on the new year with the signing of a contract for the construction of a cutting-edge pilot transfer vessel. Following a competitive bidding process across Europe, Baltic Workboats AS in Estonia secured the contract to build an approximately 18-meter vessel named “Hamburg Pilot 1.” The estimated cost for the construction of the new vessel is around three million euros, with the possibility of ordering a second pilot transfer vessel of the same design.
The procurement process was closely monitored by Flotte Hamburg’s “New Construction and Innovation” department, in collaboration with the Hamburg Pilots’ Brotherhood. When selecting the vessel model, the priority was placed on maximizing operational capabilities for transporting pilots and ensuring high maneuverability within the port area. Similar to the new vessels introduced by Hamburg’s fleet for water police operations last year, a proven vessel type is once again employed.
Environmental protection remains a top priority for all of Flotte Hamburg’s new constructions. The new pilot transfer vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art exhaust gas cleaning technology combined with synthetic GTL (gas-to-liquid) fuel. The vessel’s technology and design are geared towards minimizing fuel consumption. In line with the fleet’s new zero-emission strategy, the vessel will eventually transition to operating on climate-neutral fuel without the need for any technical modifications.