HGK and Salzgitter christen dry cargo ship “Blue Marlin”

This fleet addition from HGK Shipping, the largest inland shipping company in Europe, sets new standards: On July 3rd in Hamburg, the “Blue Marlin” was christened, a dry cargo ship for Salzgitter AG that is groundbreaking in multiple ways. The new build combines a powerful diesel-electric “Future-Fuel-Ready” propulsion concept with low-water optimization and SEAFAR technology for remote navigation. Additionally, a solar module system generates up to 37,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which can also be used for the ship’s propulsion.

(Duisburg/Hamburg) The “Blue Marlin” is the latest project in the established cooperation between HGK Shipping and Salzgitter Flachstahl in inland shipping. The new dry cargo ship will primarily transport steel and bulk goods in the northwestern German canal network, thus making the logistics of Salzgitter AG even more sustainable. After successfully completed test runs, the ship was christened yesterday by Julia Siemens-Pecher, Head of Logistics Control at Peiner Träger GmbH, an operationally independent subsidiary of Salzgitter AG, during a festive ceremony.

Implementing future-oriented projects

“The close partnership with Salzgitter AG allows us to specifically implement future-oriented projects. Together, we bring innovative ideas into practice: from emission-free solar technology to remote navigation of ships to resource-saving types of propulsion in our fleet. The ‘Blue Marlin’ is a strong symbol of what industry and logistics can achieve together,” explains Florian Bleikamp, Managing Director of HGK Dry Shipping.

Fabian Gerdes, Head of Customer Logistics at Salzgitter Flachstahl, is pleased: “With this innovative ship, we continue our efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve the efficiency and resilience of our supply chains. We are increasingly relying on inland shipping, which operates particularly environmentally friendly in the transport mix. In this respect, the ‘Blue Marlin’ plays a key role in the climate-friendly transport of our steel products and bulk goods. It contributes to a significant improvement in our CO₂ balance in logistics and therefore fits perfectly with the path we have chosen for more sustainability.”

Ideal for low-water situations

With its canal-optimized dimensions of 86 meters in length, 9.50 meters in width, and a navigable draft of only 1.10 meters, the “Blue Marlin” is ideally suited for low-water situations on Central European waterways. The efficient propulsion concept with two Veth rudder propellers and an additional bow thruster also allows coupling with a push barge, enabling optimal transport of loads up to 3,110 tons.

After successfully conducted test runs with the SEAFAR technology, the General Directorate for Waterways (GDWS) granted permission for remote navigation on the section between Salzgitter and Friedrichsfeld. The Wattlab solar technology additionally supports the energy supply on board: The generated electricity enables temporary emission-free ship operation through the propulsion of the rudder propellers and reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 36,000 kilograms annually. For the first time, the harvested solar energy can be directly fed into the drive train. In recognition of its sustainable construction, the “Blue Marlin” has already been awarded the Green Award “Gold”.

Concept and development in close collaboration

The concept and development of the ship were carried out in close collaboration between HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG. The so-called hull was manufactured at the Romanian Orsova shipyard, with the technical outfitting completed in proven quality by De Gerlien van Tiem B.V. in Druten, Netherlands.

Photo: © Hartmut Zielke/HGK Shipping