Sustainable Electric Boat (E-Boat) for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

The key component of this project is the design, development, and optimization of a high-performance electric boat (e-boat) that demonstrates how innovative engineering can contribute to a more sustainable future for marine transportation. The project will bring together students from multiple disciplines to develop an energy-efficient vessel integrating zero-emission electric propulsion, advanced battery technologies, lightweight materials, hydrodynamic optimization, and intelligent energy management.

A strong emphasis will be placed on sustainability throughout the design process, from minimizing the boat’s energy consumption and environmental footprint to investigating renewable energy integration and environmentally responsible materials and manufacturing approaches. Students will optimize the interaction between the hull, propulsion system, electric motor, battery pack, power electronics, and control systems to maximize overall efficiency and performance. Experimental testing, numerical simulation, data acquisition, and intelligent monitoring will be used to evaluate and continuously improve the boat’s energy efficiency, reliability, and performance.

Beyond the technical development of the boat, the VIP will operate through multidisciplinary subteams responsible for different aspects of the project. Technical teams will focus on hydrodynamics and hull design, electric propulsion, battery and energy management, control and data acquisition, manufacturing, and testing. Other teams will address project management, procurement and purchasing, budgeting and logistics, sponsorship and fundraising, marketing and communications, and competition rules and regulatory compliance. This structure will expose students to the complete process of developing and managing a complex engineering project, from initial concept and procurement to testing, documentation, promotion, and competition readiness.

The project will culminate in the design, construction, testing, and competition-ready development of an electric boat for participation in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, an international platform bringing together universities and industry to advance sustainable marine technologies. Through this multidisciplinary project, students will gain hands-on experience in sustainable engineering, electric mobility, renewable energy, marine design, manufacturing, systems integration, project management, procurement, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while contributing to the broader transition toward cleaner and more energy-efficient maritime transportation.

Desired Disciplines

Engineering and Business (Marketing)

Team Leaders

Dr. Amne El Cheikh and Dr. Pierre Rahme

Partner

LAU School of Engineering