Marine Impact Lab programme brings policy, propulsion and finance into focus at Metstrade

The Marine Impact Lab, set to take place on November 16th at RAI Amsterdam, will concentrate on the complex issues marine businesses face when responding to regulations, choosing alternative propulsion methods, and funding sustainability projects. Esteemed contributors, including ICOMIA's Patrick Hemp, Yann Herriot from ePropulsion, and Rick Wall of RAI Amsterdam, alongside OCEANOVATION, will join discussions.

Notable additions include sustainability specialist Dr. Susie Tomson, Veda Pretorius of IFBSO and the African Boating Conference, Dr. Pascal Gallo from Composite Recycling, Alessandro Stagni of nlcomp, and Paolo Manganelli from Gurit.

The Lab will offer two practical workshops and eight expert-led Topic Tables, providing participants with ample opportunity to tackle the decisions their businesses must make. In "Sustainable Design Principles," led by Marine Futures, attendees will explore lifecycle assessment for lower-impact boat design and apply these principles in a team challenge using a simulator.

This simulator, based on the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and using data from MarineShift360, allows teams to choose materials, propulsion, and energy systems for virtual boats, racing them in various events. The simulator highlights the trade-offs between race performance and environmental impact.

Another workshop, "Selling Sustainability," led by Foxall Munro in collaboration with DAME and Yachting Ventures, will equip participants with tools to build a business case for sustainability, engage stakeholders, and secure investment through practical frameworks. The Lab's eight Topic Tables will address questions such as the appropriateness of composite recycling and strategies for funding sustainability projects and attracting new talent.

Participants can bring real-world challenges from their businesses and collaborate with experts and peers to find solutions.

Ollie Taylor, founder and director of Marine Futures, emphasizes the significant influence materials selection and component specification have on a boat's environmental impact. He hopes participants will leave the Lab with the knowledge and confidence to challenge assumptions and identify areas for improvement in their businesses.

Damian Foxall, director of Foxall Munro, stresses the importance of every organization in the industry playing a role in ocean health. The Lab combines product design with organizational sustainability, and its delivery is supported by 11th Hour Racing.