The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) has opened the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a competition designed to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative propulsion and hull design.
The zero-emission event takes place July 1-6, 2024, and expects to see more than 50 boats participating. It will showcase boats to the public that are either on or about to enter the market, as well as prototypes. More than 700 students from 40 universities around the world in 25 nations have been working on projects to earn their place at the event to present their developments.
Debuting prototypes
In the Energy Class, a category developed by YCM and comprising 18 teams, contestants can for the first time add foils to their prototypes, like the hydrogen-powered foiling catamaran from the UK’s Cambridge University Riviera Racing. The Tameo Ensta/Monaco Marine team from ENSTA Paris is also presenting its three-engine project inspired by differential propulsion, a first for the Energy Class.
The Solar Class features 13 teams, including the Spanish Clean Energy Ship Uvigo, from the Universidade de Vigo, which is presenting a catamaran hull design with “impressive speed potential”.
In the Open Sea class for boats already on or about to enter the market, several companies and organizations will be showing what they can do, including: Sialia Yachts, which is displaying Deep Silence, one of the largest full electric propulsion boats available on the market; and two hydrogen-powered boats, Madblue marine P-01 and Inocel-Poséidon, which will be supplied with hydrogen on July 5, by Natpower. The new electric, high-performance day boat Tridente, developed in collaboration with marine technology company Vita, a long-term supporter of the event, will also be present.
A bridge between youth and professionals
Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event has attracted the attention and support of industry members like Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut/Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen, which are all keen to play a part in the yachting transformation.
For young competitors, there are opportunities to make contact with the industry by applying for job offers and internships via the Job Forum, which at the previous event led to over 80 interviews. There is also a Corporate Mentoring Program, which provides bespoke support year-round by facilitating exchanges between the industry and universities.
“We are firm believers that supporting the younger generation will help us meet sustainability challenges,” said Massimo Perotti, CEO of Sanlorenzo, which mentors Elettra UniGe (Genoa) and UniBoat (Bologna), two participating Italian teams.
This year, for the first time, YCM is partnering with the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA), which is holding its first annual meeting at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to progress sustainable practices in the maritime transport field and encourage universities to get involved,” explained Adria Jover, president of IEMA.
A comprehensive program
The multi-faceted event features a range of motorboating challenges, including maneuverability tests, sea trials, speed records and the YCM E-Boat Rally. Approximately 15 commercially available electric boats will be on the start for this 8-10 nautical-mile course, including El-ISEO, the first 100% electric Riva designed by the Ferretti Group. Among other participants are boats powered and designed by Vita and Evoy, including six that will be on the water for sailing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
While solutions are being tested on the water, students are also given a voice at the daily Tech Talks, to exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow contestants. With a focus on progressing alternative propulsion, the event gives professionals the opportunity to participate in two half-day conferences: the first, on July 4, is about alternative fuels and cutting-edge technologies in the yachting field; and the second, the annual Hydrogen Round Table (5th edition this year), organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Energy Transition and YCM, will address hydrogen innovation in the maritime and yachting industry. Both conferences can be attended in person or online.
Creativity rewarded
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is launching the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award, the prize being a grant of €25,000 (US$26,900) for the best technological solution in terms of energy efficiency and/or carbon reduction. The winner will be announced on July 5, 2024, and will present progress on their project at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for three years, starting in 2025.
In related news, the Yacht Club de Monaco launched in February what it described as the first autonomous green hydrogen pontoon, in preparation for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 1-7, 2024).