The FAST project, led by students at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), combines a shared passion for naval engineering with a strong commitment to sustainability. The team’s goal is to develop and build a vessel powered entirely by solar energy, demonstrating that the naval industry can embrace greener practices. Its motto, “Towards a greener blue”, captures this vision of a more sustainable maritime future, one the team pursues by designing, building and racing its own solar boat from the ground up.
The project centres on a solar-powered racing boat developed by FEUP engineering students as a platform for innovation in sustainable naval design. Atlântico is FAST’s first prototype, and the first boat in its category with a hull built entirely from natural fibres — a cork-and-flax sandwich structure paired with a gearless drivetrain. Hydrofoils lift the hull at speed, roughly tripling propulsion efficiency, while onboard solar panels contribute additional energy. Through continued testing and refinement, Atlântico embodies FAST’s ambition to prove that sustainability and competitive performance can go hand in hand.
