Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: A New Era of Sustainable Marine Innovation

Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: A New Era of Sustainable Marine Innovation

This year, South Africa made its mark at the prestigious Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC), a global platform for showcasing the latest developments in sustainable marine technology.

The country was proudly represented by Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) Project Engineer, Daanish Meeran, and his team from Durban University of Technology (DUT) with the Siyahamba Solar Boat – an innovation that reflects technical excellence and a commitment to sustainability in maritime engineering. Their participation marked a significant milestone for South African and African marine innovation on the global stage.

We spoke with Daanish to gain insights into his journey, the challenges he faced, and the importance of this prestigious event.

Q: What inspired you to participate in the Energy Boat Challenge?
Daanish: A team at DUT was built with the intention to participate some sort of renewable energy race. We first thought about the Eskom Solar Car Challenge, but every university was already doing that. We wanted to participate in something different, and that’s when we discovered the MEBC.

Q: Can you describe your journey leading up to the challenge?
Daanish: It was a lot of hard work and ups and downs. We started with theoretical ideas, moved to conceptual designs, and then finally to building the actual boat. Everything was made from scratch, with help from Steve Ellis, a professional boat builder.

Q: Can you tell us about the boat you used and any unique features or innovations it had?
Daanish: We didn’t use any pre-existing boat. Every part was custom-designed and built by us. The whole boat is made from a carbon fibre sandwich structure, and we used the vacuum infusion process to build it from moulds designed by our team. The carbon fibre structure was chosen for its strength and lightweight properties, and the vacuum infusion process allowed us to make each part as efficient as possible.

Q: Were there any unexpected challenges or obstacles you had to overcome during the event?
Daanish: We ran into some unexpected electrical and motor issues when we got to Monaco, but we didn’t let that stop us. We pushed hard and made sure the boat participated in every race. It wasn’t easy, but it was important to us to compete.

Q: What does it mean to you to represent South Africa and SPS at such a prestigious event?
Daanish: It was an honour and a proud moment to represent both South Africa and SPS at an international level. Especially being the first team from Africa to compete, it felt like we were breaking new ground.

Q: What are your thoughts on the importance of sustainable energy in marine engineering and in the South African context?
Daanish: While a lot of developed countries focus on large-scale maritime transport, we’re looking at more affordable solutions. For example, in eco-sensitive areas with lots of sunlight where fuel is both expensive and harmful, solar-powered boats could make a huge difference.

Q: What have you learned from this experience that you will carry forward in your professional or personal life?
Daanish: Believe in yourself, don’t be scared to innovate and to take risks.

Q: Do you have any advice for others who might want to participate in future energy boat challenges?
Daanish: Nothing is impossible, try new concepts. The MEBC was created to bring new sustainable innovation to the boating industry.

Q: Is there anyone you’d like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
Daanish: I’m incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made it possible for us to compete in the MEBC. I’m also proud to be part of the Siyahamba Solar Boat Team. It was a group effort, and every single person involved was dedicated to making this happen.

Q: How has SPS played a role in this journey?
Daanish: SPS sponsored the Siyahamba Solar Boat and supported me throughout the entire project. They gave me the time and resources I needed to work on the boat and participate in the MEBC. Without the support of SPS, The Siyahamba Solar Boat would have not made it to the MEBC. I feel honoured and grateful to work for a company like SPS. They could have prevented me from working on the Siyahamba Solar Boat, but instead, they encouraged and supported me. The support from management and the whole team was incredible.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is not just a competition but a showcase for innovation in sustainable marine technology. For Daanish and his team, it was a journey of learning, discovery, and pushing the limits of what is possible. SPS is proud to have supported them on this exciting journey.

For exclusive SPS news and updates, join our mailing list.