The Yacht Club de Monaco’s 13th Energy Boat Challenge will again bring together students and industry professionals.
The event aims to help speed up the energy transition in yachting, reconciling performance, energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Taking place from 8 to 11 July 2026, the event will feature 43 teams representing 21 nationalities from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
More than 1,000 students and young engineers are involved in the Challenge throughout the year, building on research and integrating it into the marine industry.
The event will have an emphasis on eco-design, hydrogen-electric hybridisation and smart energy management, with solutions developed for performance and also for their potential industrial applications.
Boats of tomorrow
“This event is a platform for exchange and knowledge sharing,” explained Bernard d’Alessandri, director and general secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
“By bringing together hundreds of young engineers, we reaffirm our commitment to making Monaco a testing ground where students, manufacturers and institutions can collaborate on sustainable solutions for the boats of tomorrow.”
Of the prototypes registered, 33 feature battery-electric systems, nine incorporate hydrogen technologies, one uses methanol and nine employ foils.
Teams will be divided into four categories:
• AI class focusing on advancing artificial intelligence for boating
• Energy class featuring electric and hybrid technologies
• SeaLab class for emerging energy sources
• Open Sea class showcasing zero-emission industry excellence
