The SeaLab Class is the master class of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: a pure naval-architecture challenge where university teams design and build cutting-edge boats floating laboratories for the emerging energy architectures of tomorrow.
SeaLab challenges students in naval architecture: they design and build a boat from scratch, exploring the energy systems that will power the maritime world of tomorrow hydrogen, methanol, electric and solar often on foils.
University of Bologna — winner of the 2026 SeaLab Class.
SeaLab is evaluated across the whole week. It starts ashore with technical inspection and sea trials in the YCM Marina, where the jury checks each boat’s design, safety and innovation. The prototypes then take to the water for a series of trials — a precision manoeuvrability course, a 16-nautical-mile endurance run and the final race. The overall result combines this technical evaluation, the on-water performances and the jury’s assessment of engineering and sustainability.
An open-water rally shared with the Open Sea Xperience. The prototypes leave the marina for their first real outing in the bay, in genuine sea conditions.
A precision-handling trial: each boat runs a technical course in the harbour, judged on agility, control and the responsiveness of its propulsion and steering.
A long-distance endurance run that tests range, energy management and reliability — the true measure of a credible zero-emission design over a real-world distance.
The SeaLab final on the championship course, combining speed and stamina to crown the best all-round prototype of the week.
Eight university teams from seven nations bring their floating laboratories to Port Hercule.
The inaugural SeaLab title went to Red Wave from the University of Bologna. Browse the photo gallery from the 2026 SeaLab Class below.
University teams: design, build and bring your prototype to Monaco, 29 June – 3 July 2027.
