About Us
The Float Forward DTU team was initiated by a group of 10 professors with a passion for maritime engineering. Research had shown that a new linear fin propulsion system, would prove a great alternative to conventional propellors with a hydrodynamic efficiency of 90%.
With a mission to compete in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2025, a student team has been formed. Competing in the energy class, we will have the opportunity to show the world what our technologies can do in the real world.
We are on a mission to engineer a greener future. The linear fin propulsion system just one of many projects, that Float Forward DTU will undertake in the coming years. This initiative is launched with a common interest to engineer a greener future, by converting to sustainable energy sources like electric and hydrogen.
In collaboration with the famous DTU Roadrunner team, we will be able to learn from each other, when we investigate the development of hydrogen engines and fuel cells.
With a team of almost 40 students and 10 professors, we are happy to finally have a team that can spark interest into the maritime industry.
DTU Float Forward team competes in the energy class at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
More information can be found at:
Meet the Team
2025/2026 Edition Team
Mechanical
Department
Mechanical
Focused on elevating the boat’s performance by reducing weight, increasing power, and improving manoeuvrability. We are redesigning the cockpit with new materials and geometry to minimise drag while enhancing aerodynamics and pilot ergonomics. Alongside this, we are developing our own custom electric motor to achieve higher power output and greater efficiency through full control of its components and integration. To further refine handling on the water, we are also creating a new steering system based on a capstan-drive mechanism for smoother and more precise manoeuvring.
Electrical
Department
Electrical
Communication Systems & Telemetry
Designs, maintains and improves the boat's embedded communication and telemetry systems, ensuring reliable sensor data, real time monitoring, and seamless integration with the control, mechanical, and high voltage systems
Electrical Powertrain
Dedicated to the design and integration of the motor, inverter, battery and safety systems, covering the full HV development cycle, from component selection to validation and control implementation.
2024/2025 Edition Team
Operations
Department
Operations
Responsible for internal and external affairs such as Logistics, Finance and Strategy. Also in charge of maintaining the relationships with sponsors and promoting the team through marketing and branding.
Mechanical
Electrical
Operations
Our Sponsors
Strategic Partners
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Partners
News and Events
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2025
7th place overall among 20 teams
5th place in the Endurance Race
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2025
Float Forward made its debut at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in July 2025, achieving the 7th place overall among 20 international teams. The highlight of the event was a remarkable 5th place finish in the Endurance Race, showcasing the team's engineering excellence and determination.
This strong first performance earned Float Forward the prestigious Rookie of the Year award, surpassing the initial goals for the team’s first season. The achievement fuels the team's motivation to continue improving and to aim even higher in the upcoming editions of the competition
MIGUEL FABIÃO
TEAM LEADER
"By September 25th we held our first team meeting with 30 members, marking the official launch of the project.
From February onwards everything accelerated, (...) we started assembling the boat, tested it in an indoor swimming pool and later in open sea, transported it to Monaco, passed all technical inspections with no major challenges, and raced in the Endurance Race from start to finish without failures, despite having very limited testing. We finished 5th in that race, ahead of previous competition winners, and achieved 7th place overall.
Our performance impressed the jury so much that they created a brand new award: “Rookie of the Year.”
I am incredibly proud of this team and I can’t wait to see the ideas we will bring to life to make our boat even more competitive next year."
"On August 28th of 2024, the first goals for the team were defined together with our professors. By September 25th we held our first team meeting with 30 members, marking the official launch of the project. In November, we received the exciting news of our first sponsorship from Maersk.
From February onwards, after our first meeting in the current workshop, everything accelerated: we built the wooden skeleton, manufactured carbon fiber components, completed both the HV and LV electrical systems integration, secured power tools sponsorship, started assembling the boat, tested it in an indoor swimming pool and later in open sea, transported it to Monaco, passed all technical inspections with no major challenges, and raced in the Endurance Race from start to finish without failures, despite having very limited testing. We finished 5th in that race, ahead of previous competition winners, and achieved 7th place overall.
Our performance impressed the jury so much that they created a brand new award: “Rookie of the Year.”
Before the team existed, it was estimated that competing with a DTU built boat would take around three years. Everything listed here happened in under one.
I am incredibly proud of this team and I can’t wait to see the ideas we will bring to life over to make our boat even more competitive next year."
MIGUEL FABIÃO
TEAM LEADER
