Color Line turns to Wärtsilä for hybrid scrubber upgrade on four vessels

Norwegian shipping company Color Line has hired technology group Wärtsilä to upgrade the exhaust treatment system onboard four vessels and help optimize performance and reach sustainability targets.

Under the contract, Wärtsilä will add close-looped functionality to the ships’ current open-loop scrubbers, giving Color Line control over any abetment from the scrubber wash water to ensure the vessels are compliant with tightening regulations.

According to Wärtsilä, its hybrid scrubber systems feature the latest in exhaust cleaning technology, minimizing sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions and allowing the vessel to comply with emission control regulations around the world. The solution, which has the flexibility to operate in both open and closed loops using seawater to remove SOx from the exhaust, removes 98% of SOx emissions. This also reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter emissions.

The upgrade will be carried out on two large Ro-Pax and two high-speed Ro-Pax vessels, which sail between Norway and Denmark, and Norway and Germany, and will commence at the latter end of 2024.

“Through adopting a modular approach, continuous research and development, as well as prioritising innovation, we are fully committed to developing abatement solutions which support the industry in its goals for reducing its emissions footprint,” commented Kashif Javaid, Director of Sales, Exhaust Treatment, Wärtsilä Marine. “We have worked closely with Color Line in the past and are pleased to continue to support them with ensuring their assets operate safely, efficiently and sustainably.”

“This scrubber upgrade supports our focus on minimising the environmental impact of our operations. Switching to Wärtsilä’s system will not only ensure our continued compliance with existing rules and regulations, but will also future-proof our vessels against future requirements,” said Per Erik Olsen, EVP Color Line Marine.

As part of emissions reduction efforts, at the beginning of the year, Color Line fueled its two passenger ferries, linking Denmark and Norway, exclusively with B100 biofuel, supplied and managed by marine fuel supplier Bunker One.

The switch enabled Color Line’s two passenger ferries to cut CO2 emissions by approximately 85% on average on the biofuel quantities used.