Latest news with #MonacoEnergyBoatChallenge
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Team Sea Sakthi from India wins Communication Prize at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge
Monte Carlo [Monaco], July 6 (ANI): Team Sea Sakthi from Kumaraguru College of Technology in India has been awarded the Communication Prize at the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, making a significant impression at one of the world's most prestigious maritime sustainability competitions, according to the Yatch Club De Monaco statement. The team's recognition comes as part of a remarkable international showcase that brought together 42 teams from 20 nationalities, involving more than 1,000 students in the pursuit of cleaner marine propulsion technologies. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco with support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, and SBM Offshore, has established itself as the premier event for testing and developing sustainable maritime innovations, as per Yatch Club De Monaco. This year's competition was dominated by UniBoAT - University of Bologna Argonauts Team from Italy, who were crowned the overall 2025 MEBC Champion for the fourth time, having previously won in 2021, 2022, and 2023. According to Yatch Club De Monaco, the competition featured four distinct categories: AI Class for autonomous boats, Energy Class for standardised hulls testing different technologies, SeaLab Class focusing on hydrogen projects, and Open Sea Class for zero-emission prototypes up to 25 meters that can accommodate at least three people. For half of Team Sea Sakthi's members, the Monaco competition represented their first international travel experience, yet they distinguished themselves not only through their technical prowess but also through their collaborative spirit. The Indian team exemplified the event's philosophy of knowledge sharing when they provided assistance to the French team Nereides in the paddocks, demonstrating the international cooperation that defines the competition's culture of open-source expertise exchange. The Communication Prize recognises teams that excel in presenting their innovations and engaging with the broader maritime community about sustainable technologies. Team Sea Sakthi's achievement highlights India's growing presence in the global conversation about maritime sustainability and clean energy solutions. Their success comes at a time when the competition has reached new milestones, with technological advances showing battery storage capacity nearly doubling over four years while improving safety standards. Team Sea Sakthi's victory adds to India's expanding footprint in international maritime innovation, representing not just their institution but the country's commitment to developing sustainable marine technologies. Their recognition alongside winners from Italy, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Austria, France, and Hungary demonstrates the truly global nature of the push toward cleaner maritime solutions, with the next generation of engineers leading the charge toward a more sustainable future for the boating industry. (ANI)
Hamilton Spectator
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge enters a new era with AI on board
MONACO, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Forty-two teams, twenty nations, 29 universities and more than one thousand students involved. These are the numbers of the 12th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (1-5 July), the event dedicated to the future of yachting organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore. The goal of the Challenge, which bridges the gap between academic research and the boating industry, is to rethink maritime mobility under real conditions. 'This year there is more people, more boats, more involvement of the industry. Plus, we have a new category, a new Class named AI. Not only Artificial intelligence, but also having some boats that are representing the drone industry, the boat can do some maneuvers themselves, they can dock themselves, they can go for missions themselves, so something very new. And after there is plenty of innovation,' explained Jeremie Lagarrigue president of the Jury Committee. 'We have AI directly integrated into the battery management system in order to optimize the management of energy on board. We have also a new internal combustion engine running on hydrogen that might be a good option for the yacht industry on retrofit and more and more hydrogen with fuel cell technology involving, having a less weight, better performance and starting to be more and more competitive with the battery technology,' added Lagarrigue. Divided into four categories, teams explore technologies for yachting's future: AI Class where the focus is on autonomous boats piloted by artificial intelligence; Energy Class which tests technologies aboard standardised hulls; SeaLab Class, floating laboratories of experimentation with focus this year on pioneering hydrogen technologies; Open Sea Class which showcases CE-certified zero-emission prototypes up to 25m that can take at least 3 people. Of all projects competing, 30 boats are powered by electricity, 12 operate on hydrogen and 12 prototypes will be on foils. The big news is the Artificial Intelligence debut on board. In the AI Class, the Polish from AGH Solar Boat are combining LiDAR, 3D cameras and use of advanced AI algorithms running on a Jetson Orion computer. The Hungarian team, BME Solar Boat Team, features a lightweight solar electric racing boat, optimised for autonomous navigation, powered by advanced electric propulsion systems and onboard AI-driven electronics. 'The main focus of the AI class is to develop and implement autonomous boats that have to complete full autonomous tasks using different type of technology, sensor and AI techniques. The introduction of AI this year is very important because it helps to push the technology to its boundaries and it helps to facilitate the introduction of innovation in all of sectors,' said Maria Marcello, who is on the AI Technical Committee. In the Energy Class, Sambuk Racing from Qatar University make their first appearance and will be using a solid-state lithiun battery, the first of this kind of technology in the history of the Challenge. In the SeaLab Class, from Scotland, Heriot-Watt University has integrated a solid-state hydrogen storage system, safer and more compact. In addition, Plus Zero will be testing a hydrogen internal combustion engine for the first time in the Challenge. Besides that, they use solid state hydrogen storage which uses chemical reaction with water to release hydrogen. For more information: Press Office LaPresse - A photo accompanying this announcement is available at A video accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Monaco: at the Yacht Club, Blumorpho pushes maritime finance forward, 'No time to waste'
MONACO, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ecological transition of the maritime and port sectors has reached a critical inflection point. In a high-level working session held at the Yacht Club de Monaco, innovation met finance to chart a clear course toward healthier oceans and sustainable infrastructure. The event, led by Blumorpho in partnership with the International Association of Port Cities (AIVP) and supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, brought together port authorities, financial institutions, corporations, and innovators to activate actionable financial mechanisms for the sustainable transformation of coastal urban ecosystems. Part of the momentum building toward the 'Blue Economy Finance Forum' and the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), the initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of scalable, investable solutions in support of net-zero and biodiversity objectives. Opening the session, Bernard d'Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco, stated: 'On behalf of our President, HSH Prince Albert II, we are pleased to welcome you to the Yacht Club de Monaco to address this key issue. We would like to congratulate the Blumorpho team for their initiative and leadership. On our side, and as part of our collective ambition, 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting', we are fully committed to advancing sustainable yachting through concrete actions, including the development of the SEA Index®, a tool to assess the carbon footprint of superyachts; and support for pioneering projects through the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (1–5 July 2025). This commitment is more essential than ever, and we are proud to contribute to the dialogue on how to protect our Ocean.' The day unfolded through expert panels, collaborative workshops, and project showcases, with three core themes emerging: ports as platforms for systemic innovation, strategic capital for climate impact, and concrete, investment-ready projects. Port cities were highlighted as drivers of integrated innovation, connecting clean energy, biodiversity, mobility, and industrial transformation. Financially, new models are gaining traction, from blended finance and blue bonds to private equity and infrastructure debt. Flagship projects from Kribi, Riga, San Diego, Genoa, and Bordeaux showcased pathways that combine decarbonization, aquaculture, digital infrastructure, and inclusive growth. 'The real challenge is not only funding the transition, but designing collaborative and business models that align profitability with long-term climate and societal goals,' explained Géraldine Andrieux, CEO of Blumorpho. Featured case studies included Ineos Energy's integrated approach to carbon capture and storage, and Republic Bank's expanding role in green infrastructure across Caribbean ports and beyond. 'As key players in the globalisation of trade, port cities bear a large share of the responsibility for the climate change. But the richness of their ecosystem means that they are also home to some of the solutions,' said Bruno Delsalle, General Manager of AIVP. The session sets the stage for a shared roadmap to be presented at the AIVP World Conference Cities & Ports 2025, scheduled in New York this November. Tisha Marajh, Group Sustainability Officer at Republic Bank, concluded with a firm call to action: 'We don't have time to waste. We are among the most affected by climate change. Phased investments tailored to attract different kinds of financing can provide a more sustainable path forward. We also need systems to identify small upstream projects, manage ESG risks, and facilitate technology transfer. Sustainable finance is a market opportunity, and we, as financial institutions, are ready to engage, if the right conditions are in place, in Caribbeans and at global scale.' For more information:- A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- The Hindu
Students of Kumaraguru College of Technology to represent India at Monaco energy boat challenge
Students from Kumaraguru College of Technology have launched YALI 4.0, India's latest student-built alternative energy boat. Designed and developed by Team Sea Sakthi (TSS), YALI 4.0 is set to represent India at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) for the fourth consecutive year, the team's innovation marks a significant step forward in sustainable marine technology. Constructed using eco-friendly balsa wood and flax fiber composites, YALI 4.0 blends traditional Tamil design inspiration, mythical Yali with futuristic marine engineering. The boat is equipped with Yacht OS 2.0 for real-time navigation and features Augmented Reality (AR)glasses for improved pilot safety and precision. In addition to the boat, students also introduced advanced robotic devices that will compete in an international robotics competition. These innovations were unveiled by Commodore Balasundaram of the Indian Navy, who emphasised the importance of environmentally friendly technologies for India's future in sea and river-based transportation. The Central government has allocated ₹10,000 crore towards enhancing port operations and shipbuilding infrastructure, further highlighting the importance of such sustainable student-led initiatives. Team Sea Sakthi will take part in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge scheduled for July 2 to 5.
