Latvia’s BIC to build electric boats for Vilnius under contract worth nearly EUR 2 mln

VILNIUS – Vilniaus Viesasis Transportas (Vilnius Public Transport, or VVT), a Vilnius municipal company, is buying four electric boats for 1.85 million euros for water transport service on the River Neris.

VVT said on Monday it had signed a contract of the said value for the production, supply and maintenance of the vessels with the Latvian shipbuilder BIC, the winner of a respective tender. The boats are expected to be available for testing as early as the summer season next year.

In August, the City Council of Vilnius approved the idea of launching electric water transport service on the River Neris from next year.

According to the VVT, the uniquely designed boats, which BIC will develop together with Dutch architects, will be able to carry 30-40 passengers at a time, and will be adapted for disabled people and cyclists.