By
Rebecca Gibson |
Ferry operator Fjord Line has opened a new shore power facility at Thorøya in Sandefjord to enable Oslofjord to reduce her environmental emissions when docked at the port.
Switched on by Sandefjord’s harbour master Lynne Christiansen after Oslofjord docked on 21 July, the Thorøya power plant has three large cables each weighing 150 kilograms and 1,500 amp saturation. When docked at the port, Oslofjord can turn off her auxiliary engines and connect to the shore power to operate her onboard systems, reducing both air and noise pollution.
“This means that we can turn off auxiliary engines on MS Oslofjord at night, thus reducing fuel consumption by 800 litres a day,” said Marcus Pettersson, director of Fjord Line. “More important than lower costs for fuel and maintenance, however, that investment in shore power limiting harmful emissions and noise nuisance for people living and staying around Thorøya.”
While Fjord Line’s recently renovated cruise ferries Bergensfjord and Stavangerfjord both operate primarily on LNG fuel to reduce sulphur, carbon dioxide and particulate emissions, Oslofjord runs on traditional fuels.
“As Oslofjord is driven by motors with conventional fuel, we aim to make sure the environmentally harmful emissions are as low as possible during her crossing and by calling at ports in Sandefjord and Strömstad,” said Peterrsson. “ Stricter emissions standards will enter force on 1 January next year and we are about to make the necessary investments to reduce pollution.”
Oslofjord entered service on the Sandefjord-Strömstad route on 20 June 2014 after undergoing an extensive modernisation. The ship provides two daily sailings throughout the year.