Shell, Manila gov’t sign MOA for Shell eco-marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Shell Companies in the Philippines recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Manila City Government, formalizing their partnership for the upcoming Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014 up until 2016.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada led the signing of the MOA with Shell representative Edgar Chua, country chair for Shell Philippines, and Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno.

The signing of the MOA marks the official pronouncement of Manila’s support to Shell in the quest for smarter mobility by bringing the prestigious Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila.

The largest super mileage competition in the world, SEM Asia was first held in 2010 at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In 2014, SEM Asia sees over 140 student teams from all over Asia and the Middle East flying in to compete in, for the first time,  an urban circuit around Luneta Park, Manila.

“We are very pleased to formalize our partnership with the City of Manila to hold this prestigious competition in the iconic Luneta Park,” said Roberto Kanapi, vice president for communications of Shell Philippines.

“By holding Shell Eco-marathon in Manila this coming 2014 to 2016, we hope to generate public interest and awareness on energy efficiency and sustainable mobility,” Kanapi added.

Recognizing the positive contribution of the Shell Eco-marathon to the future of energy in the Philippines, the city of Manila will  mount the urban track around Luneta – a first for SEM Asia.

The MOA also covers support for the two other Shell events that will be happening alongside SEM: The Powering Progress Together Forum and Shell Energy Lab.

This is the first time both events will come to Asia for the first time.  

From the use of the Luneta Park to the co-development of an SEM marketing campaign that will run from 2014-2016, the City of Manila and Shell have both agreed to cooperate for the success of the event.    

Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle.

The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 km/l), and from these humble origins, a more organized competition evolved.

In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as it is known today, was born.

In April 2007 the Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States. In 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia.

Malaysia hosted Shell Eco-marathon Asia until 2013.

In 2014, the event will be held in Manila, which will continue to host until 2016.