Tomorrow's yachting and boating imagined in Monaco - From 1 to 6 July, more than 450 engineering students, representing 40 universities and 25 nations, travelled to the Principality of Monaco to present their prototypes and meet the leading players in the yachting and boating industry at the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Since 2014, this event, which is part of the "Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting" initiative, combines alternative propulsion, design and hull design.

"One of the unique aspects of this event is the interaction between students and yachting professionals," notes Bernard d'Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco. "The event offers unique opportunities for mentoring, knowledge sharing and networking, which is crucial in stimulating innovation and research."

Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event, which is open to the public and organised on an open source basis, encourages the involvement of renowned players such as Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut/Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen.

Since Monday, the quayside has been abuzz with excitement as the 46 teams arrive to fine-tune their boats before the start of the sailing events tomorrow. Settled in the paddocks, one by one the competitors unveil the prototypes they are preparing for inspection by the Technical Committee. Made up of yachting professionals, the committee scrutinises each prototype to ensure that the projects announced comply with the technical rules, thereby guaranteeing safety at sea.

A fertile breeding ground for ideas and opportunities, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge encourages exchanges, notably through the Corporate Mentoring Programme. This highlights the industry's commitment to the next generation throughout the year. For example, through its Monaco Marine University branch, Monaco Marine supports Tameo Ensta from Ensta Paris and Hydrogadz from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts & Métiers both during the preparation phase and during the competition. This support includes tutoring on organisational aspects, project management and techniques, as well as the provision of shipyards and handling facilities. Alongside this support, all competitors have the opportunity to apply for jobs and work placements advertised by the industry via a Job Forum.

Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: a 360° event

The event will be a zero-emission event in terms of mobility. The Energy, Solar and Open Sea classes will have plenty of time to compete in events that can be seen from land. With parades, sea trials, speed records, fleet races, the YCM E-Boat Rally, endurance, manoeuvrability and slalom events, competitors from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Poland, as well as India and Chile, have a full programme on offer.

Visitors and competitors can also discover the interactive area, which features digital terminals dedicated to introducing these alternative technologies, as well as game simulators so that they can experience the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and compete in the E-Sport Championship organised on Friday 5 July at 7.30pm. The game will also be available on the Play Store for the first time.

Under the theme of the development of alternative propulsion, the event is also an opportunity for professionals to take the floor at two half-day conferences, the first of which (Thursday 4 July) will focus on "alternative fuels and cutting-edge technologies in yachting". The following day will see the traditional Hydrogen Round Table (5th edition this year) organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco

Foundation, the Mission pour la Transition Énergétique and the Y.C.M., which will look at hydrogen innovation in the maritime and yachting industries. These two events can be attended face-to-face (registration required), or online, with free access via the event website.

Alternative propulsion and eco-design of pleasure boats

The teams expected on the Monegasque racecourse are ready to unveil their innovative projects, which could potentially win them the jury's vote. While many are dreaming of victory, all are hoping to make their contribution to encouraging the transformation of yachting, whether in hull design, like the French team from HydroVinci. The students from the Leonard de Vinci Institute have used cork as the main construction material for their cockpit.

The Croatians from Adria Energy Boat Team have also opted for a more environmentally-friendly approach to design, incorporating flax and hemp in the construction of their monohull to optimise weight distribution and increase durability. The team has also focused on advanced safety features such as real-time telemetry and temperature sensors. The Belgians from UAntwerp Solar Boat Team have been exploring new methods of communication between the boat and the team, and have been working on splitting the propeller into sprint and endurance versions to improve battery efficiency.

The future of sustainable yachting

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is not just about competition, it is also and above all a catalyst for change in the yachting industry. Through bold projects and fruitful collaborations between students and professionals, this event embodies the future of environmentally-friendly yachting. Each prototype, each exchange, each technical solution presented here outlines the contours of a future where technology and ecology move forward together.