Naval Architects Lateral have announced their sponsorship of the University of Cambridge Riviera Racing Team and their mission to build a hydrogen-fueled catamaran for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
About the challenge
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge encourages participants to explore new technologies, innovative materials, and alternative propulsion systems that reduce environmental impact while maintaining nautical performance. Participants must design and build a boat that is functional and entirely sustainable. The challenge consists of four classes: Energy Class, Solar Class, Open Sea Class, and E-boat Rally and Sea Lab. With support from notable entities such as BMW, Sanlorenzo, Sea Index, UBS, Lürssen and Monaco Marine, the event has become an exciting highlight on the maritime calendar for engineering and maritime enthusiasts across 81 nationalities.
Five prizes will be awarded by an international jury of engineering, financial, and maritime experts, including the coveted Innovation and Eco-Conception prizes. Jury members include figures such as Alex Caizergues, world kitesurfing champion and co-founder of Syroco, Jan Pachner of One Ocean Foundation, Gilles Vernhet of Oceanco and CEO of Permare Shipyard, Barbara Amerio.
The Dedicated Pursuit of Alternative Maritime Fuel Solutions
To prepare for the challenge, the ambitious Riviera Racing Team from the University of Cambridge has spent the past year building an entirely hydrogen-fueled catamaran racer, featuring integrated solar panels and a custom electric pod co-designed with propulsion innovators Pulling-e. The team are passionate about displaying the viability of hydrogen as an alternative energy source for the future of the maritime industry, stating that: “With shipping forming the backbone of international trade, it is crucial that we innovate and develop alternative fuel sources for the industry”.
Naval Architects Lateral have showcased their commitment to the team's mission, and their support of emerging talent within the marine industry by assuming the role of Gold sponsor. Lateral offers comprehensive engineering expertise to the Superyacht sector, with a dedicated focus on fostering impactful innovations to enhance sustainability in the future. Their areas of expertise include; Naval Architecture, Structural Engineering, Mechanical and System Engineering, as well as Outfit Engineering.
The Lateral team expressed their delight in sponsoring the team, stating: “Alternative fuels will play a monumental part in the pursuit of net zero within the maritime industry. Lateral has a longstanding relationship with Yacht Club de Monaco, and events such as Monaco Energy Boat Challenge provide a platform for curiosity to flourish, bringing together eager minds and industry leaders to apply research into reality”.
They continued: “This is the first British team to enter the race since the competition began, and Cambridge University is a remarkable institution that we’re very excited to partner with. Rivera Racing have engaged their team in the energy class that focuses on energy architecture, which has been at the centre of Lateral’s recent R&D work”.
To learn more about the challenge, visit: energyboatchallenge.com
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