The Oslo-Kiel cruise ferry is known as a fun break for Norwegians, or an interesting way for Germans to reach Norway. But there’s more to the vessel than first meets the eye.
While passengers aboard the Color Fantasy cruise ferry are enjoying the piano bar, indulging in the buffet restaurant, or exploring the duty-free shops, an important scientific mission is quietly underway below deck.
This vessel, which sails regularly between Oslo and Kiel, is not just any cruise ferry, the kind that’s common across Northern Europe. At a capacity of approximately 2,750 passengers, it's the second largest cruise ferry sailing in the world.
But it also plays a crucial role in monitoring the health of the Oslofjord, the major body of water linking Norway's capital city with the rest of the world.
Harmful Algae Bloom in the Oslofjord
Earlier this summer, an alarming algae bloom turned the usually clear waters of Oslofjord a murky brown. It's not the first time there's been issues with algae in the waters close to Oslo.
Researchers at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) were concerned about the massive spread of these harmful algae.
But now, thanks to the monitoring efforts taking place aboard the Color Fantasy, there's good news: the bloom has subsided, and the fjord's waters are clearing up.
Scientific Monitoring on a Cruise Ferry
Color Fantasy is equipped with a range of sensors and gauges in its engine room that measure oxygen, salinity, colour, temperature, and turbidity every minute.
This data is transmitted in real-time to NIVA researchers. Speaking to NRK, senior engineer Louise Valestrand from NIVA described this setup as her “slow TV,” allowing her to monitor the fjord's conditions closely.
This continuous data stream alerted scientists to the harmful algae bloom earlier this summer. The bloom, which had initially raised concerns, is now over. The information gathered by the ship's sensors showed a significant decrease in phytoplankton and algae levels.
When harmful algae die, they sink to the seabed and decompose, a process that consumes oxygen and threatens marine life.
Valestrand explained that in already oxygen-poor fjords, this can lead to even lower oxygen levels, resulting in lifeless waters. The real-time data from Color Fantasy is invaluable in tracking and responding to these changes.
A Positive Contribution Amidst Concerns
Despite the good news about the algae bloom, cruise ferries and cruise ships in general are not without their environmental impacts.
That is especially true in Norway, a country which welcomed more than six million cruise passenger visits in 2023.
A 2019 study highlighted Norway as one of the countries most affected by cruise ship pollution. In 2023, Color Fantasy alone emitted over 97,000 tons of CO2.
Chief engineer Tommy Andersen emphasised the ship's commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint. He explained that they have advanced treatment facilities and release waste only when far offshore, beyond twelve nautical miles from land.
Engaging Passengers in Science
For NIVA, the advantage of having Color Fantasy as a monitoring platform is clear: it provides a wealth of data that a single research vessel could never match.
The cruise ferry’s frequent voyages in and out of Oslofjord allow for constant monitoring and immediate data collection.
Passengers on the Color Fantasy can also engage with this scientific mission. The ship has been equipped with these sensors for 20 years, and the information collected is displayed for passengers in multiple languages, including German, English, and French.
This initiative has proven particularly popular among German tourists, who show a keen interest in the environmental data.
