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ABB, a leading global provider of innovative and environmentally friendly power and energy solutions, is to supply a complete S2S system to Color Line's ro-pax ferry, SuperSpeed1.

The vessel, built by Aker Finnyards at Rauma in Finland, has been in service on the Kristiansand – Hirtshals route since 2008 and is the third Color Line vessel to be equipped with ABB's system, after the Color Magic and Color Fantasy.

The contract, due for completion in March, underscores ABB’s Environmental Compliance policy designed to enable shipping companies to operate their fleets in the most efficient and green manner. The installed system will be one of the fastest connection systems available, allowing the vessel's operation to be switched to shore power in a matter of minutes.

The scope of supply comprises compatibility assessment, installation of the S2S connection switchboard, the onboard transformer, the low voltage receiving switchboard, the extension of the automation system and the shore side high voltage shore connection switchboard in Kristiansand, Norway, where the 11 kV system will supply the existing low voltage 690 V system while the ferry is in port.

Color Line is one of Europe's largest ferry owners with annual sales in the order of USD 770 million and it deploys six ships on routes linking seven ports in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The company has again selected ABB's system as it aims to reduce fuel consumption and costs on the highly competitive routes.

The ABB system is said to comply fully with IEC/ISO/IEEE standards as well as all other relevant rules, and is designed to allow operators to reduce fuel consumption as the vessel is powered from the shore while in port, thus reducing power costs. It eliminates CO2, NOx, SOx and PM completely while the vessel is in port, meaning annual reductions of CO2 and NOx emissions are up to 3,000 tonnes and 50 tonnes, respectively, and particle and SOx emissions are also cut by several tonnes.

The installation also contributes to society's broader needs, according to Heikki Soljama, Head of business unit Marine and Cranes. "We are providing energy efficient solutions to a ferry line that connects key locations and therefore facilitates the transportation of people and goods between destinations including the Kristiansand – Hitshals route, where transit time on SuperSpeed1 is between three and four hours."