YANMAR announces the signing of a long-term strategic agreement with the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA), officially becoming a technical partner of the IMOCA Class from 2025. This is a valuable partnership for international sailing, bringing together two world leaders in innovation, high performance and environmental sustainability.
Thanks to this agreement, YANMAR becomes the leading supplier of new-generation marine engines and marine propulsion systems, i.e. the set of technologies that enable boats to move through the water using engines, shafts, propellers and hybrid systems. YANMAR’s solutions will be used in IMOCA 60s, the famous 60-foot (approximately 18.28 metre) ocean-going racing monohulls designed to tackle extreme open sea crossings. 
A strategic partnership between world leaders in the nautical industry
YANMAR’s entry as an official technical partner represents a key step in the technological evolution of the IMOCA Class. The Japanese company, a global leader in marine propulsion systems, is thus strengthening its presence in the offshore racing segment, where reliability, lightness and energy efficiency are key factors.
The IMOCA Class brings together the boats that compete in the most important international ocean races, including the legendary Vendée Globe, the solo round-the-world race without stops or assistance, and The Ocean Race, one of the toughest and most spectacular crewed competitions on the world sailing scene. An ideal context for testing increasingly advanced and sustainable propulsion solutions. 
YANMAR’s role in the evolution of offshore sailing
Through this partnership, YANMAR becomes the technical benchmark for all IMOCA yachts, contributing to the development of lighter, more efficient and higher-performance propulsion systems. Offshore races, i.e. competitions that take place on the open sea far from the coast, are one of the most demanding test beds for any nautical technology.
In this extreme scenario, the reliability of engines, generators and auxiliary systems becomes fundamental not only for performance, but also for the safety of skippers engaged in navigation of thousands of miles, often in complete solitude.
IMOCA Globe Series: the world championship of ocean sailing
The sporting heart of the IMOCA Class is represented by theIMOCA Globe Series Championship, an international circuit based on a scoring system that rewards consistency of results and technical excellence. Skippers accumulate points throughout the year based on their performance in the various races on the circuit, also taking into account the level of difficulty of the competition.
The ranking is based on a four-year cycle and includes the most iconic offshore sailing races. YANMAR’s presence in this context further strengthens the technical, industrial and sporting value of the entire championship. 
Sustainability and ocean protection: a shared commitment
In recent years, the IMOCA Class has embarked on a profound cultural and environmental transformation, promoting responsible practices and concrete initiatives for the protection of the oceans. From reducing the environmental impact of materials to installing scientific instruments on board for marine monitoring, ecological commitment is now an integral part of the circuit’s identity.
These values are fully shared by YANMAR, which through the Yanmar Green Challenge 2050 aims to become a carbon neutral company, i.e. one that is able to completely offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by its activities, thereby reducing its carbon footprint, i.e. its environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Wouter-Jan Van der Wurff, President & Chief Executive Officer of YANMAR Marine International, said:
“This partnership is an extraordinary achievement for us. We are proud to support the IMOCA Class, which brings together the world’s most innovative and advanced offshore racing boats. This long-term collaboration is based on our cutting-edge engine technology and global service network. We share the IMOCA Class’s vision and commitment to a sustainable future where people and nature can thrive together.”
Antoine Mermod, President of the IMOCA Class, added:
‘We are very happy to start this collaboration with YANMAR. We share the same ambition: to combine technological innovation and environmental responsibility in offshore sailing. Together, we want to contribute to the evolution of our sport and the entire maritime industry.’
YANMAR Marine International: technology, service and global vision
YANMAR Marine International (YMI) develops marine propulsion solutions focused on technological innovation and environmental sustainability. The company designs engines and systems designed to reduce environmental impact while improving comfort, efficiency and reliability at sea.
With a service network operating in over 130 countries, YMI guarantees rapid and comprehensive technical support. The division is part of the YANMAR Group’s Marine Recreational Business Unit, which also includes brands such as Vetus, Maxwell, Flexofold and Smartgyro, offering complete solutions for recreational and competitive boating.
IMOCA, the world elite of ocean sailing
Founded in 1991, the International Monohull Open Class Association governs the class of 60-foot monohulls competing in the world’s most extreme ocean races. Based in France but internationally recognised, IMOCA promotes safety, technological innovation and sporting fairness, integrating environmental sustainability issues in a structured manner.
Today, the IMOCA Class brings together skippers, teams, designers and industrial partners around a common vision: high-performance, responsible and forward-looking sailing.
The agreement between YANMAR and the IMOCA Class is not just a technical collaboration, but a real development project that focuses on advanced propulsion, environmental sustainability, reliability and safety at sea. This synergy will have a tangible impact not only on professional ocean sailing, but on the entire nautical industry in the coming years. 
