Swiss Solar Boat triumphs in Monaco
For four days, Monaco was a hive of activity with sea trials, conferences and races. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H and ESA NanoTech, the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge saw 54 teams representing 21 nations, comprising over 500 students, researchers, industry professionals and shipyards (including Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, and Lürssen), united by one ambition to accelerate the maritime sector’s energy transition.
The on-water battles continue
While discussions continued at the 7th Alternative Fuels and Sustainable Yachting conference, the on-water contests in Monaco’s showed no signs of slowing down. After two days of qualifiers and the initial confrontations, the competition stepped up a gear this Friday on the sea off Monaco.
Alternative Fuels Reach Demonstration
Hydrogen is not the only answer. Methanol is progressing, battery technology is maturing, wind propulsion is finding its place again in industry strategies, and nuclear power is now part of the conversation. Gathered at Yacht Club de Monaco for the 7th Alternative Fuels Conference, organised by YCM and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, researchers, industry leaders, energy experts and shipbuilders had a similar message: the maritime sector’s energy transition relies on a combination of solutions tailored to each vessel’s specific needs. “The debate has evolved. The future of maritime decarbonisation will not rely on a single solution,” said Salomé Mormentyn, Polar Initiative Manager at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, in her opening remarks. “It will depend on our ability to understand, test, and compare various solutions to determine how they can be implemented in a realistic and responsible manner”.
New technology for yachting sector
How can energy consumption be reduced without increasing travel times, or connected yachts be protected against cyberattacks, and what role will AI play in vessel design? These were just some of the questions addressed at Thursday’s Advanced Yachting Technology Conference, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco as part of the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Naval architects, engineers, researchers, industry representatives and digital experts came together for an event highlighting the evolution taking place in the maritime sector. While propulsion remains a key issue, the transition is now driven by a more holistic approach where energy efficiency, digital tools, cybersecurity and new design methods are on the same path.
13th edition kicks off
The prototypes are now in the water ready for action. After months of preparation and a couple of days spent on technical inspections and teams setting up on Quai Louis II, the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is up and running. It officially opened this Wednesday evening with an opening ceremony attended by H.E. Mr. Christophe Mirmand, Minister of State; Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Karen Aliprendi, Vice-Chair of the Finance and National Economy Committee (responsible for business and innovation); Colonel Tony Varo, Superior Commander of the Public Force; Jean-Philippe Vinci, Director of National Education, Youth and Sports; and numerous representatives from the consular and diplomatic corps.
54 teams from 21 nations
Hundreds of young engineers have taken over Quai Louis II in the YCM Marina to showcase their prototypes at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H, and ESA NanoTech.
Monaco navigates path to the future
With just weeks to go before the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (8-11 July 2026), Yacht Club de Monaco has finalised its Open Sea Xperience registrations, a category for ready-to-roll CE-certified zero emission boats. A showcase for sustainable boating, this year the category expects 16 teams to take up the challenge. In total for the 2026 edition, 56 teams representing 22 nations are registered, a record since the event launched in 2014. A university from the United States will be present, as will a delegation from China. There are four categories in total: Energy Class, AI Class for pilotless / autonomous prototypes, SeaLab Class and Open Sea Xperience.
Nemo-Systems
In the paddocks at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, for some of those fine-tuning prototypes it could be the starting point of a career. This was the case for Maëlle Truchement, Simon Dorthe and Marc Guynot, the founders of Nemo-Systems. These former participants turned entrepreneurs are returning with technology that will be fitted to boats competing in the 2026 edition. We spoke to Maëlle Truchement, the startup’s co-founder and CEO.
43 teams from 21 nations
From 8-11 July 2026, Yacht Club de Monaco is organising the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore. An outdoor laboratory of innovation that remains focused on sustainable propulsion technologies, the 2026 edition gathers 43 teams representing 21 nationalities from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, all working towards a common goal to speed up the energy transition in yachting.
Monaco as a global
With just weeks to go before the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (8-11 July 2026), Yacht Club de Monaco has finalised its Open Sea Xperience registrations, a category for ready-to-roll CE-certified zero emission boats. A showcase for sustainable boating, this year the category expects 16 teams to take up the challenge. In total for the 2026 edition, 56 teams representing 22 nations are registered, a record since the event launched in 2014. A university from the United States will be present, as will a delegation from China. There are four categories in total: Energy Class, AI Class for pilotless / autonomous prototypes, SeaLab Class and Open Sea Xperience.