en.Wedoany.com Reported - German electric propulsion system manufacturer Molabo has expanded its technical cooperation with Team Malizia, integrating a second Molabo hybrid electric propulsion system into the team's newly launched IMOCA yacht.
The installation plan is based on data and operational experience accumulated from the first system aboard the "Malizia-Seaexplorer." Team Malizia Technical Advisor Jesse Rowse stated that the priority goals for the new solution are weight and maximum efficiency. The compact size of Molabo's motors enables the entire hybrid package and offers greater flexibility in system architecture. Although the systems are similar, the physical layout differs significantly. On the previous yacht, all components had to be installed in the original positions of the diesel engine; this time, since the system has been proven viable, the layout can be optimized from the early design stages.
Energy management has become a key design and performance factor for IMOCA teams. Modern offshore racing yachts rely on navigation, communication, autopilot systems, sensors, onboard computing, safety equipment, and media systems, operating for weeks or months in the most demanding environments on Earth. Compared to traditional diesel systems, Team Malizia estimates that the new hybrid installation can extract significantly more usable energy from the same amount of fuel. As the IMOCA class and event organizers tighten restrictions on fossil fuel consumption during races, this efficiency is becoming a critical performance factor. Rowse noted that future Vendée Globe participants will be limited to carrying only 60 liters of fuel, a substantial reduction from historical values. With this system, the team can obtain roughly twice the energy from 60 liters of fuel. This difference is enormous; without a highly efficient system, the team would have to compromise on communication, hydrogenerator usage, or adding solar panels and weight.
Experience from the first installation highlighted system reliability. Molabo's motors performed well throughout the initial deployment, allowing the technical team to shift focus from proof of concept to optimizing the overall design architecture around a trusted propulsion system. Rowse noted growing interest across the IMOCA fleet, with the technical team believing the system is superior on paper and expecting confidence to increase as more yachts adopt similar systems. The hybrid concept is not only suitable for racing yachts but also offers the advantages of electric propulsion while retaining power generation capability, enabling silent departure from port and handling windless conditions when needed.
Adrian Patzak, Chief Operating Officer of Molabo GmbH, stated that the ongoing collaboration has taught them a lot, and the confidence and knowledge gained from the first system have enabled the design team to improve layout, efficiency, and sailing performance on the new yacht. Molabo recently appointed Tommi Salonen as Global Head of Maritime Sales.
