Revolution in inland shipping: Blue Marlin” celebrates sustainable baptism!

Revolution in inland shipping: Blue Marlin” celebrates sustainable baptism!

A new benchmark in inland shipping was set in Hamburg on July 3, 2025: the motor freight ship “Blue Marlin” was christened by HGK Shipping, the largest inland shipping company in Europe. The christening was carried out by Julia Siemens-Pecher, head of logistics management at Peinerträger, a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG. With this event, HGK Shipping and Salzgitter Flachstahl are marking a joint project that targets sustainable transport solutions on inland waterways.

The “Blue Marlin” features a modern, diesel-electric drive system that is considered “Future Fuel Ready”. This means that the ship can also use alternative fuels, which is of great importance in the current discussion about more environmentally friendly propulsion technologies. Thanks to the integrated SEAFAR technology, the ship offers remote-controlled navigation, with the responsible GDWS having already granted permission for sections between Salzgitter and Friedrichsfeld.

Technical details and ecological responsibility

The dry cargo ship is 86 meters long, 9.50 meters wide and has a draft of only 1.10 meters, which makes it particularly suitable for low-water situations on Central European waterways. It can transport loads of up to 3,110 tons and can be coupled to a barge. There is a solar module system on board that generates up to 37,500 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This environmentally friendly technology can make the ship's operation emission-free and reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 36,000 kilograms per year.

For the attentive readers, it is exciting to know that the “Blue Marlin” has already been awarded the Green Award in Gold, which underlines its outstanding environmental standards. At a moment when inland shipping is facing major challenges in terms of decarbonization, this ship represents a shining example for the future. The managing director of HGK Dry Shipping, Florian Bleikamp, ​​highlights the important partnership with Salzgitter AG and emphasizes the long-term goals of sustainable projects in the industry.

A step into the future of inland shipping

Inland waterway vessels are known as a means of transporting goods and are considered an efficient method of transporting goods. But what about the challenges? High energy requirements, complex regulations and the need to switch to environmentally friendly drives make the decarbonization of the industry a Herculean task. However, the “Blue Marlin” and similar projects could provide the decisive impetus to overcome these challenges through innovative approaches.

There are already the first hydrogen-powered ships, and shipping is also considering the use of alternative drives. While the changeover in ocean and inland shipping operations is as complex as a flight, projects like the “Blue Marlin” show that the industry is on the right track.

In the end, it's not just a new ship, but also the hope for a greener future for all inland shipping. The commitment of HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG could make a significant contribution to the transformation of the industry.

For further information on this topic, please visit Salzgitter AG, Shipping and Technology and Energy4Climate.