450 Students Join Professionals in Monaco to Progress Sustainable Yachting
July 01 2024 - 6:05AM
Business Wire
From July 1-6, the Yacht Club de Monaco, led by President HSH
Prince Albert II, will host the 11th Monaco Energy Boat
Challenge, showcasing youth, innovation and the future at YCM
Marina. This event, open to the public, serves as a laboratory for
innovation where young engineers and industry professionals shape
the future of yachting through alternative propulsion systems and
hull designs.
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The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: new
generation engineering the future of Yachting in the Yacht Club de
Monaco Marina. ©Luca Butto
“These young innovators are pushing the boundaries of what is
possible in marine propulsion and hull design. By hosting students
from all over the world we are fostering international
collaboration for a sustainable future,” says YCM General Secretary
Bernard d’Alessandri.
New technologies and competition Over 700 students from
40 universities across 25 nations have developed innovative
solutions divided into three categories. In the Energy Class, for
the first time contestants have been allowed to incorporate foils
into their prototypes, like the hydrogen-powered catamaran from
Cambridge University Riviera Racing (UK) and the three-engine
project by Tameo ENSTA Paris and Monaco Marine. The Solar Class
features teams such as Clean Energy Ship Uvigo (Spain), known for
their trimaran hull with impressive speed potential. The Open Sea
Class highlights projects like Deep Silence from Sialia Yachts and
hydrogen-powered boats refueled by Natpower. Tridente, a new
electric boat as efficient as it is elegant, produced in a
collaboration with Vita, will also attend.
“It's important to encourage these future players in sustainable
yachting. Their commitment and ideas are essential to this
evolution in our industry,” explains Tanguy Ducros, CCO of Monaco
Marine.
Collaboration between young talents and professionals
Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW,
and SBM Offshore, the event draws industry giants like Monaco
Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, and others keen on yachting's
transition. The Corporate Mentoring Programme fosters exchanges
between industry and university teams, offering job and internship
opportunities through the Job Forum. Last year this facility led to
over 80 interviews. With this Programme, professionals provide
bespoke support year-round thereby facilitating exchanges between
the industry and university teams. “We are convinced that
supporting the younger generation will help us meet sustainability
challenges,” says Massimo Perotti, CEO of Sanlorenzo which mentors
Elettra UniGe (Genoa) and UNIBOAT (Bologna), two Italian teams that
are participating this year”.
On-water challenges to test innovations The programme
includes motorboating challenges, including sea trials and the YCM
E-Boat Rally on an 8-10 nautical mile course. Participants,
including the fully electric Riva El-ISEO and boats by Vita and
Evoy, will use YCM E-Dock's rapid charging facilities.
Sharing in open source and at conferences on innovation and
hydrogen Daily Tech Talks are an opportunity for engineering
students to exchange on their R&D in open source. Professionals
get a chance to have their say at two half-day conferences, the
first ‘alternative fuels and cutting-edge technologies in the
yachting field’ (Thursday 4th July) and then the 5th
Hydrogen Round Table (Friday 5th July) organised by Prince
Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Energy Transition Mission
and the YCM. The discussions can be attended in-person
(registration required) or online via the event website
(https://energyboatchallenge.com).
Awards and recognition This year 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 which will be announced on 6th July for the best
technological solution in terms of energy efficiency and/or carbon
reduction. The winner will be able to present progress on their
project at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge for three years
starting in 2025.
A collective commitment to sustainable yachting Open to
the world, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge drives creativity in
the young which, combined with the expertise of yachting
stakeholders, gives rise to concrete projects. A prime example is
the first green hydrogen pontoon from SBM Offshore installed in the
YCM Marina in February.
In bringing young engineers together with professionals and
innovators from all over the world, the event, that is part of the
collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach,
illustrates the Principality’s involvement as a pioneer committed
to getting sustainable practices adopted. It is playing a key role
in the transition towards a more eco-friendly yachting sector.
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