World’s first inland solar ship to glide on sun power with 192 panels

The Blue Marlin is the world’s first hybrid solar-powered inland cargo vessel, developed through a partnership between Dutch solar innovator Wattlab and German shipping company HGK Shipping. Officially launched in Hamburg on July 3, 2025, the ship features 192 solar panels generating up to 37,500 kWh annually, directly powering its propulsion system alongside a diesel-electric “Future Fuel Ready” engine. Designed for shallow-water operations with a draft of just 1.10 meters, the 86-meter-long vessel can transport bulk goods, primarily for steel producer Salzgitter AG, and includes advanced features like remote-controlled navigation and modular connectivity for push barges carrying up to 3,110 tons. The Blue Marlin’s solar energy system integrates an automated energy management system that optimizes power distribution, reducing fuel consumption and cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 36,000 kilograms annually. This hybrid setup also enables “peak shaving” to lower electricity demand during peak periods. The project represents