A river cargo ship moving Thanks to the energy of the sun. No, it’s not science fiction: it’s reality. Is called Blue Marlin and has just conquered a world record. It is the first boat to use solar panels to power the electric motor directlyin addition to the normal on -board systems. A decisive step forward towards more navigation sustainable and low emissionsespecially along the internal waterways of Europe.
Innovation comes from Netherlandsfrom a startup that has been working for some time to make the maritime sector less dependent on diesel: it’s called Wattlab and just delivered to the company HGK Shipping a photovoltaic system from 35 kWcomposed of 192 solar panels installed directly on the ship. The boat plow now i German channelsopening the road to a new era for freight transport on the river. David Kesterco -founder of Wattlab, said:
We are the first to use the sun to really move a ship. The panels are connected not only to the internal systems, but also to the electrical network that feeds the engine.
Blue Marlin can navigate with less diesel and, in some sections, even if only with the sun
The Blue Marlin is equipped with Four diesel generatorsbut thanks to the sun system it can turn off one even in moments of maximum consumption. And not only: When the ship is light and travel downhill along the rivercan even navigate only with solar energy For short stretches. It is a historical milestone, never reached first in the river field.
The plant works together with on -board batteries And an automatic system that distributes the energy where it serves: for lighting, electronic tools, but also to make the propeller turn. The result? Minor fuel consumptionless emissions, less noise.
For HGK Shippingthis new ship is much more than an experiment. It is the natural following of the MS Heliosa previous boat equipped with a larger photovoltaic system (Ben 312 Panels), but used only for on -board services, as he explained Tim Göddedirector of naval management:
With Blue Marlin we take one step more: we use the sun to make the engine run. Fluvial navigation is already a low emissions system, but now it becomes even more ecological.
And in fact, those who work in the sector look carefully at this innovation. Because it could represent A concrete solution to the decarbonisation of freight transportespecially in European river networks, where energy efficiency is fundamental.
Blue Marlin shows that Another way of navigating is possible: cleaner, smarter, more respectful than the environment. And above all, already reality.
