MSC Poland Supports Passion for the Sea and Innovation with AGH Solar Boat Team Sponsorship

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Poland

MSC Poland Supports Passion for the Sea and Innovation with AGH Solar Boat Team Sponsorship

12/02/2024

The AGH Solar Boat Team from the AGH University of Science and Technology takes its solar-powered racing boat to international regattas, competing with the best in the world. And since 2021, it has been proudly sponsored by MSC Poland. These young, ambitious students use renewable solar energy to power their boat at the most prestigious races, including the famous Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge.

In May 2023, 46 teams from 31 universities around the world gathered in Monaco for three days of racing. The Krakow team came fifth place in solar class teams in Celka.

The competition consisted of a number of stringent tests of Celka and her pilot, covering speed, endurance and agility. And the water conditions always add to the challenge.

The team also competed in the CoreComm Balaton Solar Boat Challenge in Hungary and the New Energy Regatta Enkhuizen in the Netherlands.

The boat is undergoing significant improvement for the 2024 season. 

Karolina Nawrot, Marketing and Documentation Team Leader for AGH Solar Boat Team said, “Our plans include modernisation of the drive system, including the use of technologies that will increase efficiency and effectiveness. We are also overhauling the electronics, which will become even more advanced and more closely tailored to our needs. We are replacing all the photovoltaic panels with new ones that will give us more power. And, importantly, we are developing completely new blades for the propeller, which will make our Celka go even faster and further.
“As engineers, we treat the construction of a winning boat as a technical challenge. But it is much more than that. It is a demonstration of what can be done with solar power: this could be the future of maritime transport. We are very clear about our responsibility for the future of our planet. Winning races is fantastic. And every day, we remind ourselves of the bigger goal.”

Karolina Skora, Marketing Executive for MSC Poland, said, “It is very exciting to see these talented students working so hard. Their enthusiasm is infectious and we can all learn from that. It is also very impressive watching their problem-solving skills. They have certainly taken on a huge challenge in addressing the future of the maritime industry and I have huge admiration for their aspirations. I think I might be even more excited about the 2024 season than they are!”

 You can keep up to date with the AGH Solar Boat Team on Facebook and Instagram.