Blue oceans, green solutions
We will ensure the sustainable use of the ocean and the environment.
The Earth is first and foremost an ocean planet. Billions of people around the world depend on the ocean for food, jobs, transport, raw materials. With a growing population and increasing pressure on land areas, the ocean is becoming more important. Sustainable development is therefore impossible without clean and healthy oceans.
Goals and ambitions
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Goals by 2030
- No harmful emissions to water or air while our ships are berthed
- No littering of water or air from ships and land-based operations
- No spread of harmful non-native organisms between our ports
- Active use of our vessels for continuous monitoring of the marine environment, benefiting research institutions and our passengers
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Ambitions by 2050
- No loss of biodiversity as a result of operations, and contributing to cleaner seas in our waters
- No discharge of untreated greywater
- No harmful emissions to water or air
Our key initiatives
Color Line works broadly to reduce air pollution and to ensure that we have no harmful discharges into the sea.
Knowledge building and sharing
Since 2000, we have collaborated with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) to contribute to research on the marine environment. The FerryBox monitoring system, installed on board M/S Color Fantasy, collects data on water quality in the Oslo Fjord. These data are used in research projects that provide insight into ocean health and support sound environmental management.
In 2025, we will install similar monitoring equipment on M/S Color Hybrid, which operates through the protected areas of the Færder, Ytre Hvaler, and Kosterhavet National Parks. This will strengthen the knowledge base needed to protect vulnerable marine areas in Northern Europe.
Reduction of air pollution
As a result of fuel combustion, Color Line emits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) in addition to CO₂. By using low-sulfur fuels and alternative fuels such as BIO 100, we keep these emissions low. In addition, our vessels are equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) that remove a large proportion of SOx emissions from the exhaust gases. These solutions ensure compliance with international requirements and standards and are important measures in our efforts to reduce air pollution.
Discharges to water
To protect the marine environment, we operate efficient treatment systems on board for both black water (sewage) and grey water (from showers and sinks). These systems are regularly maintained and monitored to ensure that all wastewater is treated in accordance with applicable regulations.
When cleaning ship hulls, we use only clean fresh water, without chemicals, to avoid introducing foreign substances into the sea.
We also have clear procedures in place to prevent oil spills, and all waste is sorted on board to ensure that nothing ends up in the ocean.
In addition, in 2025 we upgraded the exhaust gas cleaning systems on M/S Color Magic, M/S Color Fantasy, M/S Superspeed 1, and M/S Superspeed 2. The new systems enable the vessels to operate in hybrid mode—and later in fully closed mode—without any discharge of wash water into the sea. This allows us to meet new national requirements in Denmark and Sweden that go beyond current international regulations.
Spread of non-indigenous organisms in our waters
Another important area of marine environmental protection is preventing the spread of non-indigenous species between different marine regions. This is not a major challenge for Color Line, as we operate fixed routes within a limited geographical area. The risk of transporting unwanted species from one area to another is therefore very low.
We also carry out regular hull cleaning on all vessels to remove any organisms that may attach to the hull. This helps prevent the spread of species and is in full compliance with applicable regulations, which we follow closely. Our vessels are also equipped with modern ballast water treatment systems that treat ballast water before discharge, ensuring that non-indigenous species are not introduced into new ports or waters.
