July 8, 2025
The Blue Marlin, a dry goods vessel for Salzgitter AG, was officially named at a ceremony in Hamburg on 3 July becoming the world’s first hybrid solar-power inland shipping vessel.
The Blue Marlin is the latest project to emerge from the long-standing cooperation arrangement between HGK Shipping and Salzgitter Flachstahl in the field of inland waterway shipping. As stated, the new vessel combines a diesel-electric, “future-fuel-ready” drive concept with the ability to operate in shallow waters and features SEAFAR technology allowing remote-controlled navigation.
Furthermore, a solar module system also generates up to 37,500 kilowatt hours of electricity per annum, which can be used to power the vessel too. The new dry goods vessel will mainly transport steel and bulk materials along the network of canals in north-west Germany.
The close partnership with Salzgitter AG is enabling us to specifically complete forward-looking projects. As we work together, we’re able to put innovative ideas into practice: ranging from emission-free solar technology to remote-controlled navigation for the vessels and even resource-saving drive systems in our fleet. The ‘Blue Marlin‘ is a strong symbol of what industry and logistics can achieve when they work in tandem.
…said Florian Bleikamp, Managing Director of HGK Dry Shipping.
After successful trials, the German General Directorate for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) approved remote-controlled navigation for the canal section between Salzgitter and Friedrichsfeld.
In addition, as stated, onboard solar power supports partial emission-free operation and can be fed directly into the vessel’s propulsion system, contributing to an annual CO₂ reduction of up to 36,000 kilograms.
We’re using this innovative vessel to continue our efforts to cut CO2 emissions and improve the efficiency and resilience of our supply chains. To achieve this, we’re increasingly relying on inland waterway shipping, which is particularly environmentally-friendly when compared to other means of transport.
…said Fabian Gerdes, Head of Customer Logistics, Salzgitter Flachstahl.
