Deutsche Post DHL starts transporting parcels by solar boat on the Spree

Deutsche Post DHL today launched parcel transport on the water in Berlin with an electrically powered solar ship. In the first pilot project of its kind in Germany, the solar ship will transport hundreds of cargoes daily on the Spree from the southern port of Spandau to the western port. The electrically powered vessel is 10.50 meters long and 2.50 meters wide.

By using photovoltaics on the roof of the ship, enough electricity can be generated for the drive and the energy on board. For periods without sun, the energy is stored in batteries. The ship has a propulsion power of five kilowatts and can thus reach speeds of up to twelve kilometers per hour. With the sun, travel time is unlimited, without sun the ship can travel six to eight hours, depending on the company.

The consignments are transported from the parcel center in Börnicke near Nauen. From there, a truck brings four to five vans carrying up to 250 packages to the southern port of Spandau. These are loaded onto the solar ship and transported to the western port in approximately 100 minutes. From the western port, the parcels are then transported to the customers – with electric cargo bikes.

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