Berlin’s waterways now transport more than sightseeing boats. DHL has introduced a second solar-powered vessel to its parcel delivery network, using the River Spree to reduce road traffic and lower emissions.
Expanding the solar-powered route
The logistics provider first tested the concept in 2022, moving packages between Spandau and Westhafen on a small electric ship equipped with solar panels. In 2023, the project was extended. A larger vessel has now joined the fleet, operating a new route from Köpenick to Osthafen near the Oberbaum Bridge.
Sven Goerke, who leads DHL’s Berlin parcel operations, described the project as an example of sustainable logistics. In a statement, he explained that the company’s experience with water-based transport and solar-powered Packstations demonstrates how innovation can ease urban congestion.
The new ship measures nearly 20 meters and can carry up to 1,500 parcels at once. Photovoltaic panels on its roof supply electricity for propulsion and onboard systems. When sunlight is insufficient, stored battery energy keeps the vessel running for 12 to 15 hours. Its twin 35-kilowatt motors allow a top speed of 12 kilometers per hour.
Related: User access blocked after policy breach
A route built for efficiency
Trucks transport parcel containers to the Kaisersteg landing stage in Köpenick, where the ship loads them for the journey. Along the route, it stops at multiple Packstations, including one at Rummelsburger Bucht, where packages are transferred to nearby lockers. Normally, delivery vans handle this final step.
The initiative has support from Berlin’s Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Action and the Environment, along with three local districts. Ute Bonde, the city’s senator for the department, stated that the expansion represents a new phase in utilizing the city’s 200 kilometers of waterways for freight. She emphasized that these waterways offer practical transport potential beyond their scenic value.
For residents, the change may result in fewer delivery trucks on congested streets. The Packstations along the route are positioned within walking distance of neighborhoods, allowing customers to collect parcels without relying on last-mile van deliveries. While the impact is modest, it could grow as the service expands.
Tim-Derek Schultze, a board member at Solarwaterworld, which operates the vessels, described the new route as a significant step for urban logistics. “We’re returning transport to the water—emission-free, quiet, and more efficient for the city,” he said. His colleague, Louise Ahrens, added that the aim is not just to maintain the current system but to continue expanding it.
Related: Mercedes Unveils Partially Convertible G Class Model
Future plans for Berlin’s solar ships
DHL is working to add more Packstations along the route, with approvals for new locations underway. The second vessel is part of a larger research initiative, A-Swarm II, which includes the Technical University of Berlin and receives funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The project examines how autonomous electric ships could function in metropolitan areas.
For now, the priority remains refining the existing system. The larger ship increases capacity, and the extended route covers a busy stretch of the Spree through some of Berlin’s most densely populated areas. If the model proves scalable, it could serve as a blueprint for other cities with underused waterways and overburdened roads.
The solar panels on the vessel’s roof provide more than symbolic value. On clear days, the ship can operate indefinitely using direct solar power. Such efficiency is uncommon in logistics, where most delivery vehicles still depend on fossil fuels. The batteries offer sufficient backup to maintain operations during cloudy conditions.
Berlin’s approach isn’t the first to use waterways for deliveries, but it stands out by combining solar power with a network of automated Packstations. Success could reshape how packages move through the city and prompt other logistics providers to reconsider their delivery strategies.