The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge will see 42 teams, 20 nationalities, 29 universities and more than 1,000 students taking part.
The event is organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, with the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore and will see yachting’s future mobility take centre stage.
It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the boating industry with one goal: to rethink maritime mobility under real conditions.
“This collaboration is essential to the transition to more responsible yachting. We are delighted to see the growing involvement of major shipyards. It’s very encouraging,” explained YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri.
The Challenge will take the form of four categories with teams exploring technologies designed for yachting’s future.
This collaboration is essential to the transition to more responsible yachting.
Bernard d’Alessandri
The AI Class will see the focus on autonomous boats piloted by artificial intelligence and the Energy Class will test technologies aboard standardised hulls.
The SeaLab Class will involve floating laboratories of experimentation with the focus on pioneering hydrogen technologies.
The last class is the Open Sea Class which showcases CE-certified zero-emission prototypes up to 25m that can take at least three people.
“This event not only showcases the future of clean energy in maritime mobility, but also reflects our shared vision to drive positive change and forward-thinking leadership through collaboration,” said Vivien Delaunay, executive director at UBS Monaco.
Of all projects competing, 30 boats are powered by electricity, 12 operate on hydrogen with NatPower H again the event’s official hydrogen supplier, and 12 prototypes will be on foils.
Strategic alliance
“This is a strategic alliance based on a shared vision for more innovative yachting that respects the environment,” said Andrea Minerdo, CEO of NatPower H.
“By facilitating access to hydrogen-powered solutions we are demonstrating that the transition to zero-emission yachting is not only possible, but already underway.”
The event will also incorporate two conferences, the Advanced Yachting Technology Conference and the H2 and Alternative Fuels Conference.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award, worth €25,000 will reward the most effective advances in energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
In 2024, the Italians from Physis Synergy (Politecnico di Milano) won the prize for progress made in their development of a new fuel cell design approach to improve overall efficiency.
The 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge takes place from 1 – 5 July 2025.
