The dry goods vessel Helios’ solar hatches have landed it a new record since 6 September. Its 312 solar panels, installed by clean-tech start-up Wattlab, have resulted in an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Helios operates on behalf of HGK Shipping. The solar hatches are unique for inland waterway vessels when viewed from a global perspective. The Helios received the Guinnes World Record label during the World Port Days at an event held in the centre of Rotterdam, which was attended by the key project partners, HGK Shipping, Blommaert and Wattlab, as well as city dignitaries.
Also read: Solar hatches deliver fuel savings and convenience
Solar hatches
27 so-called hatch covers equipped with solar panels and made by Blommaert span the cargo hold. They generate as much as 90 megawatt hours of electricity per year and this power is made available for the onboard operations on the Helios. The dry cargo vessel can therefore save up to 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
The sun god is called Helios in Greek mythology. The colour yellow, which is associated with this central star in our planetary system, also features prominently in the design of the dry cargo vessel at several points.
Because the Helios is 135 metres long and 11.45 metres wide, the vessel provides hold space measuring 5570 m3 enabling it to ship, for example, rapeseed, which HGK Shipping transports for the world’s leading food and agricultural group, ADM.
Also read: HGK develops inland tanker for shipping ammonia and LCO2
World record not an end in itself
Steffen Bauer, the CEO of HGK Shipping, made one thing clear during the presentation of the title for the Helios: ‘The world record is something special, but of course it’s not an end in itself. We need to look at how we can promote climate protection and the use of renewable sources of energy, not just as a logistics industry, but in society as a whole. The power of the sun offers an ideal starting point for this and we’ve consistently pursued this idea in the design of this vessel. Saving resources is therefore the guiding principle behind our ship designs.’
The cooperation between the key partners, Wattlab, HGK Shipping and Blommaert, illustrates how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand to provide technologically modern and sophisticated inland waterway shipping services.
Tom Blommaert, CEO of Blommaert Aluminium, concludes: ‘Solar Hatches represent a transformative solution for reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and this success reinforces our belief in their potential for the future of inland vessels.’
Picture: The Helios during the World Port Days (photo by Maritime Filming Group, supplied by HGK Shipping).
Also read: Trial under way with solar panels on the hatches of an inland vessel
