The Solar Hatches on board the dry goods vessel, “Helios”, which oper-ates 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 pro-ject 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 agricul-tural 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 offi-cial representative of Guinness World Records Limited, which awards the coveted certifi-cates, confirmed the new solar panel world record during the World Port Days in the Dutch port port city. Chantal Zeegers, for her part an alderperson in the local community, attended the award ceremony on behalf of the city of Rotterdam.
