Deutsche Post tests solar-powered ship for parcel shipping in Germany

• Deutsche Post AG (ETR: DPW), operating as Deutsche Post DHL, is testing the transport of parcels on the Spree river in Berlin with a solar-powered ship as part of a pilot project which is the initial of its kind in Germany.

The vessel will deliver hundreds of deliveries daily from the southern port of Spandau to the western port, without causing any carbon dioxide emissions, Deutsche Post stated on Thursday.

The electrically-powered ship is 10.50 m long and 2.50 m vast. It is equipped with photovoltaic panels on its roof covering as well as a battery to store power for days. The planetary system is capable of creating adequate electricity to power the ship and also satisfy the onboard electrical power demands.

The logistics firm is partnering with Berlin-based port operator BEHALA as well as shipping business Solarwaterworld AG on the project.

The solar ship sustains Deutsche Post DHL's eco-friendly sustainability technique. The team already has a shipment fleet of around 1,000 electrical lorries as well as more than 1,700 electric cargo bikes which guarantees that letters and also parcels are provided in a carbon-neutral manner to virtually half of Berlin's districts. In Germany alone, Deutsche Post is investing EUR 600 million (USD 591.6 m) in electrical wheelchair and ingenious delivery solutions this year.

In case of favorable results from the test procedure of the solar ship, Deutsche Post DHL will certainly consider including even more solar ships to its fleet as well as expanding their course to consist of various other areas.