Yachting Art Magazine

On 19 and 20 March 2026, the Nice Boating Tomorrow Forum will bring together industry leaders, public authorities, international experts and innovators to examine the economic and environmental transformations shaping the boating sector. Each conference session will feature identified speakers representing professional federations, technology companies, boatbuilders and public stakeholders.

Nice Boating Tomorrow 2026: detailed conference programme for 19 and 20 March

Thursday 19 March 2026: strategic framework, innovation and new models

14:25 – 15:00: Environmental impact of recreational boating
Speakers:
Udo Kleinitz, Secretary General of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations)

Adria Jover, maritime energy transition specialist

Rachel Moreau, environmental analysis expert

Econaviguer, programme dedicated to responsible navigation

Focus: sector carbon footprint, boat life cycle assessment, regulatory pressures.

15:00 – 15:15: Regulation and the Ocean Act
Eric Banel, Director General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Ministry for the Sea)

Analysis of European standards, financing mechanisms and the implementation of the Ocean Act.

15:15 – 16:00: Offshore racing and innovation
Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Departmental Council and committed offshore racing stakeholder (Vendée Globe)

Technology transfer between competition and recreational boating.

Innovation pitches:

Iacopo Roncuzzi, CEO of Competr (electric competition propulsion)

Kim Saleen, Solar Boat Twente team (methanol fuel cell)

Besign School (Toyota zero-impact project)

16:40 – 17:20: The usage-based economy
Speakers:
Guillaume Jacquet-Lagrèze, shared boating stakeholder

Gilles Wagner, maritime finance specialist

Marianela Clavier, sustainable strategy expert

Romuald Poirot, executive in the recreational boating sector

17:20 – 17:40: Customer expectations
Prof. Dr. Phil Klaus, Professor of Strategy and Customer Experience (international business school)

17:50 – 18:45: Low-carbon propulsion systems
Sector round table: electric, hybrid, hydrogen, retrofit.

Friday 20 March 2026: decarbonisation, infrastructure and industry

09:00 – 09:15: International outlook
Patrick Hemp, Technical Director of ICOMIA

09:15 – 09:55: Electrification
Speakers:
Xavier Lachérade, electric propulsion expert

Yannick Wileveau, energy solutions specialist

Adria Jover, maritime energy transition

Milvio Ricci, propulsion engineering specialist

09:55 – 10:20: Case studies
David Brunet, marine industry manufacturer

Philippe Raynaud, maritime operator

10:20 – 10:40: Hydrogen and biofuels
Philippe Esposito, maritime energy specialist

Chloé Zaied, alternative fuels expert

11:10 – 11:55: Low-carbon ports and marinas
Speakers:
Christophe Piana, port management specialist

Véronique Tourrel, port administration

Patrick Garcia, port authority management

Patrick Hemp, ICOMIA

Melanie Symes, sustainable infrastructure specialist

Camille Lopez, regional strategy expert

12:15 – 12:35: Sustainable interiors
Smart Interiors Horizon (SIH), European consortium for sustainable materials

14:10 – 14:40: Shipyard strategy
Sigrid Longeau, CSR Director, Groupe Fountaine-Pajot

14:40 – 15:20: From construction to recycling
Speakers:
Billy Devauchelle, eco-design specialist

Dr Katarzyna Panasiuk, materials engineering

Thierry Boussion, refit specialist

Ivana Lazarevic, industrial circularity expert

15:20 – 15:30: Hydrogen foiling catamaran
Hannah Milkie, Besign School (OceanWings – AYRO)

This programme brings together international federations, public authorities, manufacturers, engineering schools and leading boatbuilders, positioning the Forum as a structuring platform for the economic and environmental transformation of the European boating industry.