An Australian company called Solar Sailor developed the technology, which is similar to that used in hybrid cars.

One of the ships, the Solar Albatross, has two sails which are covered in solar panels and can harness energy from both the sun and the wind.

Owners of the Hong Kong Jockey Club which runs the golf course on Kau Sai Chau island, told the BBC that the solar panels had resulted in “significant fuel savings.”

The Australian company said it was in early talks with a major Hong Kong ferry company about fitting solar panels onto one of their boats and there are also plans to work with a ferry company in Australia and to trial solar panels on ocean research boats.