11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: A laboratory of innovations driving technological progress
Monaco
Events
Press release
From July 1st to 6th, over 450 engineering students representing 40 universities and 25 nations have made the trip to the Principality to present their prototypes and meet major players in the yachting industry at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Since 2014 this event, which is part of the collective Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting approach, combines alternative propulsion and hull design to drive the future.
“One of the unique aspects of this event is the interaction between students and yachting professionals,” says Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. “It offers one-off mentoring opportunities, knowledge-sharing and networking which are vital to stimulate innovation and research”. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event is open to the public, held in open source and has attracted involvement by renowned names including Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut/Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award
The Italians from Physis (Politecnico Milano) received the coveted Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award the prize being a grant of €25,000. Launched this year, it recognises the best technological solution in terms of efficiency and/or carbon reduction. From 2025 for a period of three years the winner can present progress on their project at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
“The Prince Albert II Foundation is honoured to present this award to Physis (Politecnico Milano), recognising their innovative technology that enhances fuel cell efficiency. By supporting scalable and market-ready solutions, the Foundation embraces calculated risks to drive significant advancements in the yachting industry’s sustainable future,” explained Olivier Wenden Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Hydrogen in the running
Ten teams took on the hydrogen challenge, a method of propulsion that took centre stage at the 5th Hydrogen Round Table organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Energy Transition Mission and YCM.
In the maritime sector the main factor slowing down development of this solution is the lack of green hydrogen as well as, crucially, refuelling infrastructure problems, whether considering fuel cell technology or a hydrogen combustion engine, a proposition that looks increasingly relevant, particularly for refitting existing units.
A vehicle for the future of sustainable yachting
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is not only about the competition but above all is a catalyst for change in the yachting industry. Through bold projects and collaborations that bring results between students and professionals the event embodies the future of a more eco-friendly yachting sector. Every prototype, every exchange, every technical solution presented has the potential to redraw the future where technology and ecology move forward together.
