TS Laevad ("TS Ships") is an Estonianferry company which operates two routes between the Estonian mainland and the islands of Hiiumaa and Muhu in the Baltic Sea. Muhu is connected by a causeway to Estonia's largest island, Saaremaa.[2]
The company is a fully owned subsidiary of the Port of Tallinn (Estonian: Tallinna Sadam, "TS"),[3] which is in turn 70 percent owned by the Estonian state.[4] The state subsidises the ferry routes with a sum of over €20 million per annum.[5]
The company operates five ice class ferries, four of which were purpose-built for TS Laevad.[2]
Routes
Two routes across the Väinameri are operated by TS Laevad.
TS Laevad replaced the previous operator, SLK, on 1 October 2016[6] after submitting a public procurement bid 64 million euros less than its predecessor.[7] It was originally contracted to operate the routes until 30 September 2026.[8]
As none of TS Laevad's new ferries were delivered in time for the start of the company's contract, three vessels from Vjatšeslav Leedo's Saaremaa Shipping Company (SLK) were chartered as an interim solution. The Sefine Shipyard in Turkey and the Remontowa shipyard in Poland paid TS Laevad a total of nearly €11 million in late fees.[9] All four new ferries were in service by the end of April 2017.[10]
In 2019 the ferry Tõll had batteries installed which were expected to reduce the vessel's diesel consumption by 20%. It thus became the first hybrid passenger vessel in Estonia.[11]
In 2022, the company's ferries carried a total of 2.3 million passengers and 1.1 million vehicles. 72 percent of total passengers sailed on the Saaremaa route, with the remainder on the Hiiumaa route. The busiest month was July, with 394,000 passengers. The least busy month was February, with 96,000 passengers.[12]
All five ferries have an onboard shop operated by R-Kiosk Estonia AS. In addition, the four larger ferries have a "Take Off" restaurant operated by Baltic Restaurants Estonia AS.[13]
Contract period 2026–2033
In April 2024, TS Laevad won a public tender to operate the Saaremaa and Hiiumaa routes from 1 October 2026 until September 2033.[14] The company was the only bidder in the tender.[15] Under the terms of the new contract the company's profits will be capped, after concerns on the islands of seemingly excessive profits.[4]
Incidents and disruptions to service
Piret in ice conditions, February 2019. The company's ferries have a 1A ice class, operating in ice with a thickness of up to 80cm.
On 28 July 2017, the ferry Tiiu struck the seabed twice and sustained hull damage en route from Rohuküla to Heltermaa. The incident was caused by a controls failure on autopilot. While Tiiu underwent repairs at Turku Repair Yard in Finland she was replaced by the chartered Hiiumaa for a period of six weeks.[17]
In the spring of 2018 ferry services to Hiiumaa were periodically suspended due to low water levels in the Väinameri. The minister responsible, Kadri Simson, blamed the cancellations on inadequate dredging in the Rukki Channel, through which ferries pass between Rohuküla and Heltermaa.[18]
From mid-March to early May in 2020, TS Laevad reduced the frequency of its services due to the coronavirus pandemic. Travel to the islands was restricted to residents only, and the number of passengers reduced by 92 percent compared to the previous year.[19]
On 22 July 2021 Tõll collided with the berth at Kuivastu Harbour causing damage to the berth, the ferry and some vehicles on board including that of Estonian president Kersti Kaljulaid.[20] Tõll was out of service for over two weeks during the peak summer season causing queues of up to two hours. The company stated that the collision was caused by a technical failure resulting in a loss of engine power as the ferry approached the berth.[21][22]
Future developments
As of 2025, the Estonian State Fleet[et] is attempting to procure a new-build ferry to replace the ageing Regula, which will be operated by, but not owned by, TS Laevad. The new ferry will be slightly smaller than the company's own vessels and will have a 1B ice class, lower than the 1A ice class of the existing fleet.[16] The ferry's main power source will be electricity charged from shore and stored in batteries, but there will also be auxiliary diesel generators.[23]
The Ministry of Regional Affairs has stated its intention to introduce new environmentally friendly vessels on the routes from 2033.[24]
The Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs is assessing the option of building a bridge or tunnel connection between the mainland and Muhu across the Suur Strait. It is expected to be determined by 2026 whether a bridge, tunnel or continued ferry operation will be the preferred option.[8][25]
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