CONTINUOUS AND AUTOMATIC OCEAN OBSERVATIONS ALONG TRANSECTS
USING SHIPS OF OPPORTUNITY (FERRYBOX)
Ships of Opportunity
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Currently in operation:
M/S Richard With (Hurtigruten):
Bergen - Kirkenes (Norway)
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M/S Trollfjord (Hurtigruten):
Bergen - Kirkenes (Norway); Oslo, Tromsø (seasonal)
M/S Vesterålen (Hurtigruten):
Bergen - Kirkenes (Norway)
M/S Color Fantasy (Color Line):
Oslo (Norway) - Kiel (Germany)
M/S Norbjørn (Bring AS/Marine Supply):
Tromsø (Norway) - Svalbard
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M/S Norröna (Smyril Lines):
Hirtshals (Denmark) - Tórshavn (Faroe Islands)
- Seyðisfjørður (Iceland)
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M/S Connector (Marine Supply):
Norway-Rotterdam (Netherlands)-Hull (UK)
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​M/S Color Hybrid (Color Line) [under construction for Q2 2025]:
Sandefjord (Norway) - Strømstad (Sweden)
SENSORS AND PARAMETERS
"Core" parameters:
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Temperature
Salinity
Dissolved oxygen
Chl-a fluorescence
Turbidity
Advanced parameters:
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CDOM fluorescence
pCO2
pH
PAH fluorescence
Upwelling and downwelling radiance
Downwelling irradiance
short- and long-wave radiation,
Air temperature
Humidity
Atmospheric pressure
Wind speed and direction
Sensors to be added during the project:
Phytoplankton pigment absorption sensor (integrating sphere),
Dissolved nutrient analyzes (NH4, PO4, NO3, SiO2)
Additional carbonate system sensors, greenhouse gas sensors (CH4, CO2),
Pocket FerryBox for ad hoc deployments
Flow cytometry and imaging camera (Imaging Flow Cytobot)
Fast repetition rate and pulse-amplitude fluorometers (LabSTAF)