Marking a significant leap in sustainable marine innovation, Kumaraguru Institutions launched YALI 4.0 — India’s latest version of a pioneering fully sustainable energy boat — for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) 2025, on 4th June 2025. The boat was entirely built by students.
It was designed and developed by Team Sea Sakthi (TSS), an interdisciplinary student team from Kumaraguru.
YALI 4.0 is set to represent India once again at the prestigious Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) for the fourth consecutive year. TSS will participate in MEBC, scheduled from 2nd to 5th July 2025 in Monaco, Europe.
Since debuting in 2022 with YALI 1.0, Team Sea Sakthi’s journey has been transformative. From an aluminium-framed electric catamaran to a sleek, fully sustainable vessel made from natural biomaterials, each version of YALI has reflected a powerful evolution in engineering, materials science, and ecological design.
YALI 1.0, launched in 2022, marked India’s first entry into the MEBC. Weighing 310 kg, the electric catamaran was powered by a 6 kW Torqeedo motor and solar-assisted lithium iron phosphate batteries. It prioritised reliability and foundational design.
That year, Team Sea Sakthi won the Communication Prize at MEBC 2022, recognising their compelling vision for India’s clean marine future.
In 2023, YALI 2.0 showcased significant advancements. It reduced overall weight to 270 kg, integrated a custom 11 kW RimDrive propulsion system, and achieved speeds of 14 knots.
Most notably, it became India’s first hydrogen-powered catamaran, marking a key milestone in hybrid marine propulsion. With the switch from aluminium to carbon fibre, the boat gained improved structural flexibility and efficiency.
Team Sea Sakthi again received the Communication Prize and was also awarded the Monaco Townhall Cup for their innovation and team spirit.
YALI 3.0, launched in 2024, signalled a breakthrough in sustainable engineering.
Inspired by the aerodynamic form of the bald eagle, this version introduced pineapple fibre composites, reducing weight by 12% and drag by 15%. Integrated smart features such as Yacht OS and biometric controls elevated the vessel’s innovation quotient.
That year, TSS won four major accolades at MEBC — Design, Innovation, Communication, and the Townhall Cup — firmly establishing its reputation as a global leader in sustainable marine innovation.
Having secured 6th position globally in each of the last three editions of MEBC, Team Sea Sakthi, powered by the advanced capabilities of YALI 4.0, is now confidently aiming for a podium finish in the 2025 edition.The team’s renewed vision, technological enhancements, and sustainable design philosophy are aligned toward this bold goal.
In 2025, YALI 4.0 represents the team’s most ambitious and sustainable creation to date.
Constructed entirely from balsa wood and flax fibre composites, this version eliminates the use of carbon fibre, aligning with global calls for eco-friendly materials.
The structure blends traditional Tamil heritage — inspired by the mythical Yali — with futuristic marine technology, resulting in a vessel that is both visually striking and hydrodynamically efficient.
Technologically, YALI 4.0 is equipped with Yacht OS 2.0, an upgraded smart system for real-time navigation and analytics. For the first time, the boat also features Augmented Reality (AR) glasses for the pilot, delivering live environmental and performance data to ensure both safety and precision.
With this new vessel, Team Sea Sakthi continues to champion a future of zero-emission maritime mobility, merging tradition, technology, and environmental responsibility.
As they prepare to compete at MEBC 2025, Team Sea Sakthi stands as a proud symbol of India’s innovation potential in clean marine technology.
