Monaco Energy Boat Challenge kicks off
9° Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2021. Image courtesy of YCM / Studio Borlenghi
Forty-six teams are taking part in the 2023 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge this week, which brings together professionals and students to present alternative marine propulsion systems.
Hosted by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with the International Powerboating Federation (UIM) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is now in its tenth year of operation and seeks to foster the development of alternative propulsion systems, using only clean energy sources to power the future of yachting.
The 10th edition, which runs from 5-8 July 2023, includes students from 31 universities.
“The goal remains to stimulate creativity to design eco-friendly propulsion systems and share the experiences and knowledge acquired,” says Bernard d’Alessandri, general secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The event is an international challenge and attracted teams from 25 countries around the world this year, competing across three different classes: Energy, Solar and Open Sea.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge involves some of the leading players in the yachting industry, including Oceanco, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Lürssen, Monaco Marine and Palumbo SY Refit and ePropulsion, with support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, as well as Credit Suisse, BMW and Sbm Offshore.
ePropulsion is sponsoring two teams: Rochester Technology Institute’s (RIT) Dubai Sailing Tigers Team, competing in the Energy class; and the Research of Marine Technology (RMT) Solar Boat Team from Diponegoro University in Indonesia.
“ePropulsion’s 6kW Navy 6.0 Evo is ideal for race boats competing in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge”, says Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion. “We are excited to be supporting two of the teams participating in the contest, in the hopes that we demonstrate the power of electric propulsion to deliver a cleaner, more sustainable marine industry. By supporting and partnering with students, we expect to encourage more young people to join us to make a great difference to the marine industry.”
Meanwhile, Ferretti Group’s head of engineering and design, Nino Ascone, is taking part in a panel discussion entitled “Sustainability Transition: challenges, engagement & adoption”, which takes place today (6 July 2023). The group also takes place in the YCM E-Dock & YCM E-Boat Rally, an endurance event for electric yachts.
Also present for the week is Malizia-Seaexplorer, the new Imoca of Team Malizia founded by YCM VicePresident Pierre Casiraghi. The vessel arrived in the principality on 4 July 2023, with German yachtsman Boris Herrmann and the whole team who recently completed the round-the-world Ocean Race.
