The Yacht Club de Monaco is upgrading its dockside charging facilities with specialist Aqua superPower’s second-generation rapid chargers to serve the growing electric boat and superyacht market. The new marina in neighboring Cala del Forte in Ventimiglia is also being connected to Aqua’s DC charging network. Cala del Forte is a project owned and conceived by Monaco Port’s SMIP (Société Monégasque Internationale Portuaire) to expand the company, push cross-border collaboration and demonstrate its commitment to sustainable port management and ecological responsibility.
In response to ever-increasing demand for berths and capacity in the ports of the principality, Monaco Ports decided to create SMIP in 2016 and purchased the nearby Italian port of Cala del Forte in Ventimiglia. The charger upgrades in Monaco and new installation in Ventimiglia took place to coincide with the public inauguration of Cala del Forte in the presence of Prince Albert of Monaco on July 2, 2021.
“Carving out a successful space for a new marina is based on what drives demand. Cala del Forte benefits from its association and connection with Monaco, while also wishing to create a reputation in its own right as the best high-end marina in terms of service, technology, innovation and sustainability,” explained Marco Cornacchia, port director of Cala del Forte – Ventimiglia. “Electrification is certain to come to boating in the coming years, just as it has come to other forms of transport, and we see working with Aqua superPower as futureproofing in terms of market demand and required infrastructure.”
The Aqua network will be accessible to marine users via the Aqua secure app or RFID card. The app enables users to view a map showing charger options, and offers navigational aids to guide them to their chosen locations. Chargers on the network provide rapid 25-150kW DC charging for leisure and commercial boats.
“The new installation in Cala del Forte as the new high-tech gateway location connecting the Italian Riviera with the Côte d’Azur puts Ventimiglia firmly on the map,” added Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower. “We are proud Aqua’s network technology was chosen as part of the marine e-mobility infrastructure servicing both Cala del Forte and Monaco in support of SMIP’s goals of sustainable port management and ecological responsibility.”