Estonia's Saaremaa Shipping Company is in talks with Fiskerstrand Verft of Norway over an order for 3 new car ferries, reports TradeWinds.

According to "Oma Saar" newspaper, representatives from Fiskerstrand had visited Saaremaa to discuss a deal.

"If everything goes as planned, the first new vessel will be delivered in 2009," Saaremaa owner Vjatsheslav Leedo said.

Leedo said negotiations had also been held with yards in Poland, Finland and Germany.

"The Norwegian company that has been in business for one hundred years is a builder of ferries having very extensive experience," Leedo said.

The 600-passenger ships would also have capacity for 140 to 160 cars. A round trip to Hiiumaa Island, currently 4 hours, would take 3 with the new vessels.

Saaremaa has 9 ferries, the newest of which was built in 1988.