A ground-breaking environmental project cuts down pollution

Coorporation brings environmental gains. Frederic Hauge from the environmental foundation Bellona, Helge Otto Mathisen, Group Director for Communication and Public Affairs in Color Line og Port Director Anne Sigrid Hamran presented shore-based electrical power for ferries in Oslo.

Photo: Anne Kristin Hjukse

These environmental gains are the result of cooperation between Color Line, Oslo Havn, Bellona and Hafslund Nett. When ships are berthed, they generate the electricity they require from their own auxiliary engines that pollute both locally and globally. In Norway, onshore- based electrical power is mainly clean, renewable energy.

When Color Line's ferries are connected up to shore-based electrical power, the discharge of CO₂ will be reduced by 3 000 tonnes each year and NO_x discharge will be reduced by 50 tonnes each year in Oslo.

Environmental responsibility

Color Line is Norway's largest and one of Europe's leading cruise and transport companies. The company has its head office in Oslo. In 2001, Color Line was awarded the Environmental Award by the Port of Oslo and in December 2010, Color Line signed an Environmental pact with Oslo Municipality

"The decision to invest in shore-based electrical power is a major undertaking, but it is important and serves to show how vital it is to lift together when major environmental tasks are to be undertaken", says Group Director for Communication and Public Affairs, Helge Otto Mathisen in Color Line.

The company also shares the vision of the Norwegian Shipowners Association - the target of 0 discharge from ships.

The "plug".

Cooperation on solutions

"We are proud to be able to contribute specifically to reduced discharge and cleaner air in Oslo. We expect that this measure can cut down discharge by 3 000 tonnes CO₂ and 50 tonnes NO_x each year", says Frederic Hauge in the environmental foundation Bellona.

"Installing a shore-based supply of electricity is something we have dreamt about for many years and it serves to show what can be achieved when Bellona joins forces with industry and public agencies. Color Line and the Port of Oslo deserve praise for their engagement and ability to get the job done", says Hauge.

Color Fantasy and Color Magic are the world's two largest cruise ships equipped with car decks. The ships operate on the Oslo-Kiel service and are the first large ships in Norway to convert to shore-based electrical energy.

Major environmental responsibility

"Color Line has taken on a major environmental responsibility as the first shipowning company to use this technology in practice. Color Line has used considerable resources in order to achieve this target and is a good example for others. We aim to make transport of goods by sea still more environmentally friendly and we hope that experience from the project will make it easier for other shipowning companies to convert to shore-based electrical power", says Port Director Anne Sigrid Hamran.

This is endorsed by Frederid Hauge in Bellona:

"We hope to take this project further and introduce shore-based electrical power in other ports. Bergen is high on the list, there are many ships in this port generating their own electricity and thereby polluting the environment", says Hauge.

Joint financing

Color Line has received financial support from Transnova, Enova and Oslo Havn KF when converting to the new technology. Hafslund Nett have contributed with technical competence and Bellona has been a driving force in realising the project.

"It is inspiring to see that good cooperation can lead to such a positive result for the environment and for the citizens of Oslo. Praise is due to the parties in this project who have been so effective and constructive", says the Port Director in Oslo.

Contacts:

Color Line: Helge Otto Mathisen, Group Director for Communication and Public Affairs 992 23 330.

Port of Oslo: Anne Kristin Hjukse, Head of Information: 992 14 610

Bellona: Anne Karin Sæther, Information Manager: 90 20 55 20

Facts about shore-based electrical power

(facts-about-shore-based-elecrtical-power.pdf, 1MB)

Illustration of shore-based electrical power

(illustrasjon-landstrom.pdf, 221kB)

Will now recieve shore-based electrical power. Color Fantasy at quay in Oslo.

Photo: Terje Løchen