Held each year in the European principality of Monaco, the challenge pits teams of university students against one another to power up racing catamarans with clean energy solutions.
For the first time next year, the challenge will expand beyond Europe with a Asia Pacific Qualifier event to be held on Darwin’s harbour. The winner of the challenge in Darwin will compete in the “World Final” in Monaco.
Another qualifier event is set to be held for European teams in Italy in 2027, with more qualifier events to be launched around the world the following year.
The Darwin event is expected to draw up to 10 teams to Australia’s Top End with the challenge to be broadcast internationally.
“This is a significant milestone, with Darwin becoming the first Australian city – and the first city outside Europe – to host a Monaco Energy Boat Challenge qualifier,” said the Northern Territory’s advanced manufacturing minister Robyn Cahill.
“This is more than an event. It’s a chance to grow advanced manufacturing in the marine and clean-energy sectors, attract new investment and deepen our partnerships with universities and industry right across the Asia Pacific.”
The NT Government and local investment company Big Blue Ventures worked together to secure the challenge for Darwin.
“Our harbour, our climate and our proximity to the world’s fastest-growing maritime markets make Darwin a natural proving ground for the technologies that will shape the future of marine transport and energy,” said Big Blue Ventures director, Suzie Celotti.
“We want the world’s best engineers and innovators competing here, testing here and ultimately building here.”
