Dutch maritime solar innovator Wattlab has delivered a solar energy system for HGK Shipping’s inland cargo vessel The Blue Marlin in what is a groundbreaking development in maritime sustainability.
The vessel is equipped with 192 solar panels that generate energy for both its onboard systems and its high-voltage propulsion system, making it the world’s first hybrid solar-powered inland shipping vessel.
While Wattlab – a Dutch company specialising in solar energy solutions for the maritime industry – and HGK have previously collaborated on the MS Helios, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel installation on an inland vessel, the Blue Marlin goes a step further.
Unlike the Helios, where solar power only served low-voltage onboard needs, the Blue Marlin’s system is fully integrated, directly powering the ship’s propulsion as well.
According to Wattlab’s COO David Kester, this represents a major technical milestone. With a peak output of 35 kilowatts, the system works in tandem with the ship’s four diesel generators. This hybrid setup allows for automated energy management and peak shaving, reducing fuel use by preventing unnecessary generator starts during high-demand periods.
Kester added: ‘Furthermore, in situations where the ship is lightly loaded and travelling downstream, we anticipate that it may even sail using only solar power for limited periods – an unprecedented achievement in the inland shipping sector.’
With a fleet of over 350 vessels and annual freight volumes around 43 million tonnes, HGK Shipping is a major player in Europe’s inland transport sector. Their investment in renewable technology marks a significant shift in an industry under growing pressure to cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Tim Gödde, Director Ship Management at HGK said: ‘We have already reached a significant technical milestone with the construction of the Helios, which has had a noticeably positive impact. The Blue Marlin now goes one step further by also using solar energy for the power train. It makes another important contribution to making shipping, which is already a low-emission mode of transport, even more sustainable. We are excited to see how this innovative solution will prove itself in practical operation.
‘We are proud to pioneer the use of solar propulsion in inland shipping. The Blue Marlin demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets engineering expertise.’
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