The Blue Marlin has become the world’s first hybrid solar-powered inland shipping vessel.

Equipped with 192 solar panels, the dry goods vessel feeds solar power directly into its diesel-electric propulsion system.

The cargo vessel, developed by HGK Shipping, will be used by Salzgitter AG, the German-based steel and technology group, to transport steel and bulk materials along the network of canals in north-west Germany.

At 86 metres long and 9.50 metres wide, and with a navigable draught of 1.10 metres, the vessel can transport loads weighing up to 3,110 tonnes in shallow waters.

Its solar panels were developed by Dutch maritime solar firm Wattlab, and the solar module system generates up to 37,500kWh of electricity a year.

This not only provides power to the vessel’s onboard systems but also operates in conjunction with four diesel generators to contribute power directly to the electric propulsion system.

David Kester, co-founder and COO of Wattlab, said: “This milestone means that HGK...