The Earthrace challenger boat, which is aiming to circumnavigate the globe in a record time of less than 65 days, will be arriving in Malta for refuelling and a short break on 18 April. Apart from setting a new time record, the boat is expected to be the first to attempt to circle the globe using biodiesel.
Throughout its short stay in Malta, the boat will be berthed at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, which has offered its support free of charge in view of the environmental nature of the project. In keeping with the projects’ objectives of promoting bio-fuels, the boat will be refuelled using EORC’s Bio-Power fuel. Bio-Power was chosen after the organisers conducted rigorous tests on the fuel to ensure that it is of international standing and compatible with the sophisticated technology used by the boat. The Earthrace’s visit to Malta also came about through the initiative of the EORC Group of Companies which has been in touch with the project promoters for the past year.
The boat visit to Malta is also expected to attract international media coverage from over 70 TV stations, which are following the progress of Earthrace. These stations are expected to arrive the day before the event in order to be able to cover the boat’s arrival in the Grand Harbour.
Earthrace is a revolutionary wave-piercing trimaran, which was built in New Zealand with the aim of promoting the use of renewable fuels. To date it has completed a promotional tour around New Zealand and across North America and now will attempt to set the UIM powerboat circumnavigation record starting 6 March from Barbados while using only Biodiesel.
Commenting about the Earthrace, EORC’s commercial manager Pippo Psaila said that “it will be a pleasure to welcome the Earthrace challenger crew to Malta. This project is commendable not only because of the challenge to break the world record but also because of its objective to promote renewable fuels. Promoting biodiesel on an international level and in such a spectacular and unique manner is something truly admirable.”