One of the biggest investment companies in Estonia

AS Infortar's three main areas of investments are maritime transport, energy, and real estate.

The mission of Infortar is to build well-functioning companies that hold strong market positions.

Our economic results were mostly affected by the travel restrictions.

Infortar has always prioritised people, resources, and environmental protection.

As a responsible company, Infortar continues to contribute to society.

The common goal of the two Estonian companies is to launch the terminal by November this year and thus ensure the security of supply to consumers.

“In our opinion, the liquefied natural gas terminal in Paldiski should be a public terminal. It is expected that other market participants, as well as investors, will join the project. If the government sets an exact deadline for phasing out Russian gas, and Elering builds a pipeline connection, the private sector will be able to solve the problem by joint efforts and launch the terminal by the beginning of the heating season this year,” said Mr Heiti Hääl, Chairman of the Board of Alexela Group, announcing that the investment company Infortar joins the LNG terminal project in Paldiski.

“Estonia and the Baltic Sea region as a whole need diverse and sustainable energy solutions to maintain competitiveness and economic development. Residential consumers, industry, transport and heat generation expect convenience, reliability and safety from the new energy – all this is provided by new generation LNG gas. For Estonia, the construction of the terminal would also mean a historic opportunity to play the role of an “energy battery” for the entire region,” said Mr Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Board of AS Infortar.

The LNG terminal in Paldiski will be built in two phases: the first phase includes the construction of a connection between the berth and Balticconnector, as well as the rental of a floating terminal, while the second phase will build a permanent solution for the terminal. The cost of the terminal infrastructure, which will be completed this autumn, reaches 40 million euros. Negotiations are underway on the lease of a floating terminal, a tender for construction will be completed in the coming days, and the first prepayments for the supply of building materials have been made. This month, dredging and construction of the mooring pit will begin in Pakrineeme.

Alexela and Infortar are also cooperating with Latvian and Finnish market participants to ensure energy security in all three countries during the coming heating period. In addition to Estonia, the LNG terminal in Paldiski will cover at least 80% of Finland’s gas needs.

Alexela and Infortar have many years of cooperation experience in OÜ Eesti Biogas, Estonia’s largest jointly owned biomethane plant producing biomethane from local feedstock in Vinni in Lääne-Viru County, Ilmatsalu in Tartu County and Oisu in Järvamaa. In addition to Paldiski, Alexela is building an LNG terminal in Hamina in Finland. Through its subsidiaries, Infortar has one of the most extensive shipping and LNG competencies in the region. Last year, Estonia’s first LNG bunkering vessel Optimus was built on Infortar’s order.

Energy group Elenger’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel has arrived to Estonia from a Dutch shipyard to become the first of its kind in the region. The service area of the LNG bunkering ship will comprise the part of the Baltic Sea centred around the Gulf of Finland. The ship, named Optimus, was christened with the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, as the ship`’s godmother.

“This is the first such bunkering vessel in our region to start supplying LNG fuel to ships,” said Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Elenger, adding that the new vessel will contribute to preventing nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions during its lifecycle and will allow shipping companies to provide clients with a smoother and quieter travel experience.

Within a matter of a few years, Elenger Marine, has become the largest LNG bunker services supplier in the Baltic region, delivering LNG to Tallink’s shuttle Megastar(with Tallink’s new shuttle MyStar to join next year) as well as to a number of cargo vessels in the ports of Tallinn, Helsinki and Hanko.

The vessel can bunker tankers, cargo ships, passenger vessels and cruise ships in ports and in offshore waters.  It’s tanks and pumps allow for up to 6000 m3 of liquefied natural gas to be delivered to clients at a rate of up to 1000 m3 per hour. The LNG bunkering vessel, which is almost a hundred metres in length, was built by the Dutch company Damen.

“We are very pleased to be playing a significant role in making sustainable shipping more accessible to ship-owners and operators in the Gulf of Finland,” added Peter Anssems, Damen Sales Manager for East Europe. “We are confident that Optimus will give many years of productive service to Elenger.”

Capable of carrying 6000 m3 of liquefied natural gas, the vessel belongs to the investment company Infortar and will be commercially operated by Elenger Marine. The construction of the ship was co-financed by OP Bank, and aid was granted by EU CEF (Connecting Europe Facility).