Finnish engineering giant, Wärtsilä is to upgrade the exhaust treatment system on board four vessels in Norwegian ferry operator Color Line’s fleet.
Wärtsilä will add close-looped functionality to the ships’ current open-loop scrubbers, enabling the ships to operate at maximum efficiency, safely and in the most environmentally sustainable way possible, the company said.
As shipping’s drive for energy efficiency and emissions reductions become ever more urgent, shipowners and operators, such as Color Line, are seeking solutions, which will help to optimise vessel performance and reach sustainability targets.
The upgrade to a hybrid scrubber system on board these ropaxes will give Color Line control over any abatement from the scrubber wash water, ensuring its vessels remain compliant with tightening regulations.
“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, Color Line’s Marine Executive Vice President.
Wärtsilä’s hybrid scrubber systems are claimed to feature the latest in exhaust cleaning technology, thus minimising SOx emissions and allowing the vessel to comply with emission control regulations worldwide.
The solution, which has the flexibility to operate in both open and closed loop using seawater to get rid of SOx from the exhaust, removes 98% of SOx emissions. This also notably reduces NOx and particulate matter emissions.
“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,” Kashif Javaid, Director of Sales, Exhaust Treatment, Wärtsilä Marine, commented.
“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.”
The upgrade will be carried out on two large ropaxes and two high-speed ropaxes, which sail between Norway and Denmark, and Norway and Germany, and will commence towards the end of 2024.
