Dutch solar innovator Wattlab and German inland shipping giant HGK Shipping have teamed up to launch the world’s first hybrid solar-powered inland vessel as part of an ambitious initiative to decarbonize inland waterway transport.
Named the Blue Marlin, the dry cargo vessel will predominantly transport bulk goods for Salzgitter AG, one of Europe’s leading steel producers in the north-west German canal network.
It was officially christened during a ceremony that took place in the city of Hamburg in Germany on July 3.
The vessel combines a powerful diesel-electric ‘Future Fuel Ready’ propulsion system, low-water optimization, and SEAFAR technology for remote-controlled navigation.
Moreover, its solar module system, which consists of 192 panels generating up to 37,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, took place at the De Gerlien van Tiem shipyard in the Netherlands.
The panels will supply energy to the onboard and propulsion systems, making the Blue Marlin the first inland shipping vessel to rely directly on solar power for sailing operations.
Powering progress through partnership
Measuring 282 feet (86 meters) in length and 31 feet (9.5 meters) in width, Blue Marlin is specifically built for shallow-water operations, with a draft of only 3.61 feet (1.10 meters).
Twin Veth rudder propellers and a bow thruster further boost its maneuverability. At the same time, its modular design allows it to connect with push barges to handle cargo loads of up to 3,110 tons.
Florian Bleikamp, HGK Dry Shipping managing director, was pleased that the company’s close collaboration with Salzgitter AG paved the way for innovative, forward-looking developments in inland shipping.
The Blue Marlin was festively commissioned, marking a major milestone for HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG. Credit: Hartmut Zielke | HGK Shipping
“Together, we are putting innovative ideas into practice: from emission-free solar technology and remote-controlled navigation of the ships to resource-saving propulsion systems in our fleet,” Bleikamp said. “The ‘Blue Marlin’ is a powerful symbol of what industry and logistics can achieve together.
The ship’s solar setup works in conjunction with four diesel generators. It also enables ‘peak shaving’, a technique used to reduce electrical power consumption during periods of maximum demand on the power utility.
Cleaner, smarter cargo transport
Wattlab explained that the automated energy management system distributes power precisely where and when needed, improving overall efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. It is also expected to cut CO2 emissions significantly by up to 79,366 pounds (36,000 kilograms) per year.
“With this innovative ship, we are continuing our endeavors to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the efficiency and resilience of our supply chains,” Fabian Gerdes, Salzgitter Flachstahl’s head of customer logistics, said in a press release.
For the first time in inland shipping, solar energy can be transferred directly to the vessel's drivetrain, advancing clean propulsion technology.
Gerdes emphasized that the Blue Marlin is crucial to supporting climate-friendly transport of the company’s steel products and bulk materials. “It contributes to a significant improvement of our carbon footprint in logistics and therefore fits in perfectly with the path we have taken towards greater sustainability.”
The hybrid solar setup builds on the earlier success of MS Helios, another HGK vessel equipped with Wattlab solar panels. However, while Helios uses solar only for low-voltage onboard systems, Blue Marlin raises the bar with full propulsion integration, earning it the prestigious Gold Green Award for sustainable vessel design.
Georgina Jedikovska Georgina Jedikovska, journalist, plant engineer, oenophile and foodie. Based in Skopje, North Macedonia. Holds an MSc. degree in Horticultural Engineering, with a specialization in viticulture and oenology. Loves travelling, exploring new cultures, a good read, great food and flavorful wines. Enjoys writing about archaeology, history, and environmental sciences.