TURIN, Italy, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The future of technology is focused on sustainable sailing. Everything is ready for the 11th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, which will take place from July 1 to 6. The competition is organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco under the leadership of its President H.S. Prince Albert II. The main objective is to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative propulsion and hull design innovations. “The commitment of the new generation shows the importance of finding answers to environmental problems,” says YCM Secretary General Bernard d’Alessandri. The goal is a zero-emission event in terms of mobility on water, with over 50 boats participating. More than 700 students from over 40 universities from all over the world (25 nations) have worked on their projects throughout the year to earn their place and present them in the Principality. The Village displays all boats that are either on the market or about to be, as well as prototypes, and is open to the public.
In the Energy Class, a category developed by YCM, competitors can equip their prototypes with foils for the first time, such as the British team from Cambridge University Riviera Racing with their hydrogen-powered foil catamaran. Among the 18 teams in this class are the French team from Tameo Ensta/Monaco Marine from Ensta Paris with their three-engine project inspired by differential propulsion – a first for the Energy Class. In the Solar Class, 13 teams are competing, including the Spanish team on the Universidade de Vigo’s Clean Energy Ship Uvigo, which presents a rather unique hull design with catamaran-like lines and impressive speed potential. The design is intended to be very stable when racing, before the foils are deployed to generate lift and fly over the water. In the Open Sea class for boats that are already on the market or will soon be on the market, several units are showing what they can do. The 15 registered teams include Sialia Yachts’ Deep Silence, one of the largest fully electric powered boats on the market; and two hydrogen-powered boats, Madblue marine P-01 and Inocel-Poséidon, which will be powered by hydrogen from Natpower on July 5. The new high-performance electric dayboat Tridente, developed in partnership with marine engineering company Vita, a long-time supporter of the event, will also be present.
Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event has attracted the attention and support of well-known names in the industry such as Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut/Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen, all keen to be part of the transformation of yachting. For these young participants, there are therefore opportunities to get in touch with the industry by applying for job offers and internships through the Job Forum. At the last edition, this opportunity resulted in over 80 interviews. The professionals also invest time in the Corporate Mentoring Programme, which offers tailored support throughout the year by facilitating exchanges between the industry and universities.
This year, YCM is collaborating with IEMA (International Electric Marine Association) for the first time, helping them to organise their first annual meeting as part of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. The event is multifaceted, especially on the water with a range of powerboat challenges such as manoeuvrability tests, sea trials, speed records and the YCM E-Boat Rally. While innovative solutions are tested on the water, students can also have their say at the daily Tech Talks to exchange knowledge and experiences with other participants in the open source field. As the focus is on the advancement of alternative propulsion, professionals can have their say at two half-day conferences: the first (Thursday 4 July) will focus on alternative fuels and cutting-edge technologies in the yachting sector, while the second is the annual Hydrogen Round Table (this year the 5th edition), organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Energy Transition and YCM, which will focus on hydrogen innovation in the marine and yachting sectors.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is offering the Sustainable Yachting Technology Award of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The prize is a grant of 25,000 euros for the best technological solution in terms of energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction. The winner will be announced on July 6th and will be able to present the progress of their project at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for three years starting in 2025.
For more informations:
Press office LaPresse – [email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06f3fec5-bff4-4e86-ae3b-f0d96faa8eac
