The Actual Ultim 4, one of the world's five fastest and most advanced trimarans, docked in Barcelona's Marina Port Vell on Monday. Its owner, French talent acquisition firm Actual Group, is using the high-profile visit to launch an ambitious expansion plan for the Spanish market.
The 32-metre nautical giant, featuring a 34-metre mast, arrived after an overnight journey from Marseille. Crew members worked on Tuesday to prepare the vessel. This trimaran uses three hulls, one central and two smaller lateral ones. It also has hydrofoils, or wings, that lift the boat above the water. These foils allow the Actual Ultim 4 to "fly" at speeds up to 50 knots, which is approximately 90 kilometres per hour. Only two of the six crew members can sleep while sailing; the others operate cranks and control devices. They also control the foils.
Advanced Foiling Technology Returns
Yves Le Blévec, the team director and a legendary figure in ocean sailing, enthusiastically explained the trimaran's details. He toured the vessel, highlighting its advanced features. Àlex Pella, a navigator and crew member, actively participated in these explanations. Pella, another standard-bearer of ocean sailing, wore a wet wetsuit on Tuesday. He had just emerged from the waters of Port Vell after fixing a minor propeller issue. "Life aboard a giant of these dimensions requires knowledge of wind, but also mechanics. A bit of everything," Pella stated, according to Ultim trimaran class information. This shows the diverse skills needed for such a vessel.
The trimaran's arrival brings advanced foiling technology back to Barcelona's coastline. The city previously hosted the America's Cup sailing competition until September 2024. That global event showcased similar high-tech foiling sailboats. After the competition left, these advanced vessels largely disappeared from the Barcelona seafront. The Actual Ultim 4 has now positioned itself just metres from the former bases of the Swiss and British America's Cup teams. These bases are now dismantled, leaving a void for such innovative craft.
Precision Engineering and Extensive Travel
Building the Actual Ultim 4 required over 170,000 hours of high-precision work, according to its owners. Its carbon fibre hull contains many sensors. These sensors monitor real-time data about the vessel's performance. The trimaran has accumulated 200,000 nautical miles on its skids. This distance is equivalent to circumnavigating the globe ten times. Such extensive travel demonstrates the vessel's durability and advanced design. Marina Port Vell, a key part of the Port of Barcelona, regularly welcomes impressive yachts. However, the Actual Ultim 4 stands out due to its size and technological prowess.
Actual Group, a French consultancy specialising in talent acquisition, owns the trimaran. France has a strong passion for ocean sailing. The Actual Ultim 4 competes in numerous races each year. The company is using this Barcelona visit to present its strategic roadmap for the Spanish market. Actual Group aims to triple its current three million euro turnover within three years. Its "3x3" strategic plan will help achieve this goal. The company stated that the 12 to 15 million euro trimaran symbolises the strength of a group. This group works with over 1,000 European businesses.
Strategic Investment in Spanish Talent
Actual Talent identifies a "shortage of qualified profiles" in the Spanish labour market. The firm plans to invest 40% of its new funds into selection processes. Another 40% will target executive profiles in key sectors. These sectors include technology, industry, and life sciences. The remaining investment will go towards an artificial intelligence platform. This strategic move aims to address critical talent gaps in Spain's growing economy. It also seeks to strengthen Actual Group's presence across the country. This investment could significantly impact the recruitment sector.
The Actual Ultim 4 will remain in Barcelona throughout the week. It serves as a powerful symbol for Actual Group's ambitious growth strategy in Spain. This visit highlights the intersection of advanced nautical technology and significant business investment in the city. It also underscores Barcelona's role as a hub for both maritime innovation and economic expansion. The company expects strong returns from its new Spanish market strategy.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
