11.09.2024 | Press release

World record for solar panels on cargo vessel: “Helios” outshines its rivals with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records

Rotterdam. The Solar Hatches on board the dry goods vessel, “Helios”, which operates on behalf of HGK Shipping, has held a new record since 6 September - and this has now been recognised by the Guinness World Records label: the 312 solar panels, which the clean-tech start-up, Wattlab, has installed, are unique for inland waterway vessels when viewed from a global perspective. The world-famous company gave its stamp of approval to the sustainable design of the “Helios” 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. The solar module structure supports the resource-saving on-board operations by saving as much as 90 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

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 5,570 cubic metres enabling it to ship, for example, rapeseed, which HGK Shipping transports for the world's leading food and agricultural group, ADM.

27 so-called hatch covers equipped with solar panels and made by the Blommaert company span the cargo hold. They generate as much as 90 megawatt hours of electricity per year and this power is made available for the on-board operations on the “Helios”. The dry cargo vessel can therefore save up to 90 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. Carl Saville, the official representative of Guinness World Records Limited, which awards the coveted certificates, confirmed the new solar panel world record during the World Port Days in the Dutch port city. Chantal Zeegers, for her part an alderperson in the local community, attended the award ceremony on behalf of the city of Rotterdam.

„The world record is not an end in itself"

Steffen Bauer, CEO HGK Shipping GmbH

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.”

On the "Helios," you'll find the world's largest solar power system ever installed on an inland vessel.

The cooperation between the key partners, Wattlab, HGK Shipping and Blommaert, illustrates how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand to provide technically modern and sophisticated inland waterway shipping services. “The development and installation of the solar panels on the ’Helios’ are an example of how technology can help make inland waterway shipping, which is already environmentally sound, even more resource-friendly. Thanks to this project, we’ve managed to take an important step towards providing more eco-friendly inland waterway transport services,” says Bo Salet, the Co-Founder and CEO of Wattlab.

Tom Blommaert, CEO of Blommaert Aluminium, shared his pride in the achievement: “We are incredibly proud of this Guinness World Record, which showcases our commitment to innovation and sustainability in inland shipping. 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.”