Estonia’s border authorities have launched a hybrid patrol vessel that protects the environment from oil spills and cuts fuel consumption, thanks to hybrid electric propulsion from Finnish company Danfoss Editron. 

The patrol ship will be used by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Service for patrolling, firefighting, and search and rescue missions in Estonian waters. However, its main role will be monitoring and responding to pollution threats, using a state-of-the-art radar that can detect surface contamination, such as oil spills, from up to five miles away. The system’s low vibrations and noise also give the patrol boat the ability to run in stealth mode for anti-smuggling operations.

“With changing regulations, I see that the demand for such hybrid electric solutions will grow rapidly in the near future as ship owners switch to electrical vessels to reduce their CO₂ emissions,” said Jani Hartikka, project manager at Danfoss Editron. “Creating this unique vessel together with Baltic Workboats already puts us on the front line of development.”