The World’s First Hybrid Solar-Power Inland Shipping Vessel, Blue Marlin, Sets Sail
A groundbreaking event took place in Hamburg, Germany, last week as the newly built inland dry goods vessel, Blue Marlin, was officially named. This vessel has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the world’s first hybrid solar-power inland shipping vessel, equipped with advanced remote-controlled operations.
Blue Marlin boasts 192 solar panels, developed by the Netherlands’ Wattlab, expected to generate up to 37,500 kilowatt hours annually. This innovative solar system is fully integrated, capable of providing power directly to the ship’s high-voltage electric propulsion system, a major leap forward in sustainable maritime technology.
Under optimal conditions, Blue Marlin’s solar power system can deliver up to 35 kilowatts, working in conjunction with four diesel generators to power the electric propulsion system. The vessel’s automated energy management system enables peak shaving, optimizing energy distribution and reducing fuel consumption during high-demand periods.
David Kester, co-founder, and COO of Wattlab, expressed excitement about Blue Marlin’s potential to sail using only solar power for limited periods, a remarkable achievement in the inland shipping sector.
The vessel, built at the Orsova Shipyard in Romania and outfitted at De Gerlien van Tiemm in the Netherlands, is homeported in Cologne, Germany, and operated by HGK Shipping. It will primarily transport steel and bulk materials for the German steel company Salzgitter along Germany’s canal network.
Blue Marlin also features a diesel-electric, future-fuel-ready drive concept, optimized for canal navigation with dimensions of 86 meters in length, 9.5 meters in width, and a draft of 1.1 meters. Its advanced propulsion system includes two Veth rudder propellers and a bow thruster, capable of coupling with a push barge to transport up to 3,110 tonnes.
Florian Bleikamp, Managing Director of HGK Dry Shipping, emphasized the vessel’s role as a symbol of innovation and collaboration in the maritime industry, showcasing emission-free technology, remote-controlled navigation, and resource-saving drive systems.
Blue Marlin’s solar system builds upon the success of the record-setting 312 solar panels installed on another HGK vessel, Helios, in 2024. Helios, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records, generates 90 megawatt hours of electricity annually for low-voltage onboard systems, showcasing the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Wattlab, with a focus on maritime solar energy solutions, has installed systems on over 30 ships to reduce fuel consumption, lower carbon dioxide emissions, and enhance operational efficiency, contributing to the maritime sector’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable practices.