World’s First Solar Powered Inland Ship Using Solar Energy For Onboard Systems & Propulsion

A dry cargo ship named Blue Marlin has become the world’s first hybrid solar-powered vessel.

The ship is the result of a collaboration between Wattlab and HGK Shipping. It aims to decarbonise inland shipping operations and has been quite successful in this regard.

Blue Marlin uses solar power for both onboard systems and propulsion.

Launched in 2025, it has 192 solar panels producing around 37,000 kWh of electricity annually, helping reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.

It operates as a dry cargo ship carrying bulk commodities like steel for the company
Stalzgitter AG.

It has a future fuel-ready propulsion system, low-water optimisation and SEAFARER tech so that it can also be controlled remotely.

Blue Marlin is 86 m long and 9.5 m wide, specifically designed to operate in shallow waters, with a draft of 1.10 m.

The vessel has Twin Veth rudder propellers and a bow thruster.

It can connect with push barges to handle cargo loads of up to 3,110 tons.

The ship also has four diesel generators, enabling peak shaving, a technique to decrease electrical power consumption during periods of maximum demand on the power utility.

Its energy management system distributes power precisely and, when required, improves overall efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

It also cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 36,000 kilograms annually.

Blue Marlin supports sustainable shipping operations. It is built on the success of MS Helios, another vessel of HGK, which has solar panels made by Wattlab.

However, Helios uses solar only for low-voltage onboard systems, Blue Marlin raises the bar with full propulsion integration, earning it the Gold Green Award for sustainable vessel design.