Jaak Viilipus highlights the pressing challenges confronting Estonia's maritime infrastructure, particularly in light of the unprecedented low water levels and difficult ice conditions in recent weeks. These phenomena have placed significant pressure on transportation links between the mainland and the islands, with ferry services needing to operate with extreme precision. As channels become temporarily difficult to navigate and several connections have been interrupted, ports find themselves struggling to adapt to circumstances they were not originally designed for.

This situation is not an isolated incident; climate change is leading to more frequent extreme weather events, including both low and high water levels, stronger storms, more severe ice conditions, and coastal erosion. These impacts are first felt by maritime infrastructure, directly affecting the residents of the islands whose daily mobility relies heavily on functional transportation links to the mainland. The analysis calls for a reassessment of how maritime infrastructure needs to evolve in response to these climate-induced challenges.

Viilipus emphasizes the necessity for stable infrastructure to operate regardless of optimal conditions, as it should not depend on fluctuating water levels favoring maritime traffic. As climate extremes continue to manifest with increasing regularity, the adaptation of maritime transport systems will be crucial not only for the functioning of essential services but also for the broader resilience of the region’s economy and community livelihoods.