Solar container has set sail

Is solar technology a viable solution for inland cargo vessels?

Solar technology, long viewed as limited to land-based or small-scale maritime uses, is proving its viability even on large inland cargo vessels. Wattlab, for example, has been developing scalable solar solutions not just for inland shipping but also for coastal and seagoing vessels.

Can solar power be used in inland shipping?

For the first time in inland shipping, solar energy can be transferred directly to the vessel’s drivetrain, advancing clean propulsion technology. The Blue Marline is the first inland shipping vessel capable of hybrid sailing with solar power. Wattlab

How many solar panels can a ship have?

The solar system aboard the ship advances on prior low-voltage systems that are supplying power for onboard systems and provides the first capability to contribute solar power to propulsion. The vessel has several unique capabilities, starting with its 192 solar panels, which are expected to generate up to 37,500 kilowatt hours annually.

Does HGK ship have solar panels?

HGK Shipping, which operates a fleet of 350 vessels across Europe’s waterways, has teamed up with Dutch maritime solar specialist Wattlab to deliver this innovative project. The Blue Marlin is now equipped with 192 solar panels designed to power both the vessel’s onboard systems and, crucially, its high-voltage electric propulsion.

Will blue marlin sail with only solar power?

“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,” said Wattlab co-founder and COO David Kester. Blue Marlin has 192 solar panels (Wattlab)

Is blue marlin the world's first hybrid solar-power inland shipping vessel?

Published Jul 7, 2025 7:45 PM by The Maritime Executive A newly built inland dry goods vessel, Blue Marlin, was named last week in Hamburg, Germany, and became the world’s first hybrid solar-power inland shipping vessel, as well as receiving a designation for remote-controlled operations.