The Blue Marlin, owned by Germany’s HGK Shipping and equipped by Dutch solar innovator Wattlab, has been officially commissioned as the world’s first hybrid inland cargo vessel capable of using solar energy not just for onboard systems but also for propulsion. The naming ceremony took place in Hamburg on July 3, 2025.
Unlike its predecessor, the MS Helios, which utilized solar power exclusively for internal systems, the Blue Marlin’s advanced setup—featuring 192 solar panels—feeds electricity directly into its high-voltage propulsion network. The system delivers up to 35 kW under optimal conditions.
The electrification package also includes a diesel-electric configuration, four diesel generators, automated energy management, battery storage, and remote-control navigation capabilities. When lightly loaded and moving downstream, the vessel may operate entirely on solar power for short periods—an unprecedented achievement for inland shipping.
