HGK and Wattlab launch first hybrid solar-powered inland vessel

HGK Shipping has taken a major step toward greener inland transport with the launch of Blue Marlin, the world’s first inland cargo vessel equipped with a hybrid solar-powered propulsion system.

Developed in collaboration with Dutch solar technology company Wattlab, the vessel is outfitted with 192 solar panels that supply energy to both the onboard systems and the electric propulsion.

This breakthrough positions Blue Marlin as a significant milestone in sustainable shipping. Unlike previous vessels where solar power has been limited to auxiliary systems, this is the first time solar energy is being directly used to propel an inland cargo vessel.

“The Blue Marlin’s 192 solar panels are not only connected to the low-voltage onboard systems but also to the high-voltage propulsion network. This means that HGK Shipping can proudly state that they are the first inland shipping company to operate a vessel that uses solar power directly for propulsion”, says Wattlab co-founder and COO David Kester.

Delivering up to 35 kilowatts under optimal conditions, the Blue Marlin’s solar power system will operate in conjunction with four diesel generators powering the electric propulsion system.

This fully integrated setup enables ‘peak shaving’, where the combination of solar energy and batteries will prevent the need for activating an additional generator during high-demand periods.

The system’s automated energy management will distribute electrical energy where and when it is required, increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

“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”, says Tim Gödde, Director Ship Management at HGK Ship Management Lux S.à r.l..

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