Decarbonising inland shipping with solar

Dutch clean-tech firm Wattlab has partnered with HGK Shipping to equip the Blue Marlin with a cutting-edge solar power system.

Featuring 192 solar panels, the vessel is the first of its kind to use solar energy for both onboard and propulsion systems.

“This means HGK Shipping can proudly state that they are the first inland shipping company to operate a vessel that uses solar power directly for propulsion,” said David Kester, COO and co-founder of Wattlab.

Greener waterways

The Blue Marlin delivers up to 35 kilowatts of solar power, working alongside four diesel generators in a fully integrated system.

This setup enables “peak shaving” and energy automation to reduce fuel consumption and optimise performance. Under light loads and downstream conditions, the vessel may even sail solely on solar power, which is an industry first for inland shipping.

“We are proud to pioneer the use of solar propulsion in inland shipping,” said Tim Gödde, director ship management at HGK.

“The Blue Marlin demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets engineering expertise.”

The project underscores a broader shift toward sustainable shipping, as operators increasingly explore scalable, hybrid energy systems to meet regulatory demands.

Wattlab said its solar innovations are also proving viable for coastal and seagoing vessels, not just inland waterways, meaning solar could be part of the future energy mix for vessel propulsion going forward.