Registration open for the 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: A turning point for maritime innovation.

Since it was founded in 2014, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has been showcasing the performance of innovative propulsion systems and hull designs. Following the record-breaking event in 2024, when 40 universities and more than 700 students from 25 countries took part, with 450 attending the event itself, the Challenge is being revamped.

The event is undergoing a refresh, while maintaining its mentoring programme and jobs forum. The latter offer genuine routes into the industry, establishing a unique link between talented youngsters and professionals.

“The idea is to continue to foster technological progress in order to shape the future of yachting”, explains Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco, the man behind the event.

With support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, and SBM Offshore, the event attracts big names from the world of yachting, including Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut |Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen.

It is a long-term project for the students involved, who work on it throughout the year, following a rigorous schedule:

• Registration opens: 16 September 2024
• Confirmation of applications (Energy, IA, SeaLab): 10 February 2025
• Registration closes for the Open Sea category: 15 May 2025

Energy Class: A laboratory for zero-emission prototypes
Designed to test out zero-emission prototypes, the Energy Class will potentially feature higher energy output in forthcoming years. The organisers are now encouraging the use of additional technologies, such as hydrogen, flywheel energy storage, wind turbines and compressed air solutions. Launched in 2018 by the Yacht Club de Monaco, which supplies teams with catamaran hulls, the Energy Class promotes ingenuity on the part of participants.

Farewell to the Solar Class but not to solar energy
Competitors in this category will need to develop their projects by shifting to a more diversified range of technological solutions. Solar Class participants are invited to join the Energy Class or SeaLab Class, or to adapt their prototypes and compete in the new IA Class from 2025.

SeaLab Class: a showcase for cutting-edge technology
Now the flagship class of the event, the SeaLab Class features craft up to 12 metres in length, showcasing maritime innovation with the only restrictions being those imposed by safety considerations. Green methanol can be used in this class, provided that there are carbon capture systems on board. This approach will make it possible to promote the latest sustainability solutions for the yachting of the future.

IA Class: a focus on autonomous vessels
The IA Class is making its first appearance in 2025, enabling autonomous vessels to compete in their own category. The IA Class is open to prototypes that meet the technical criteria, and will also welcome former Solar Class participants who wish to make changes to their boats. This category marks a significant step towards incorporating artificial intelligence in the maritime field. Note that vessels will have pilots on board, but they will only intervene in the event of a technical problem.

Responsive creativity
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has confirmed its support for sustainable innovation through the “Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award”, with an endowment of €25,000. The prize was launched in 2024 and rewards the best technology solution in terms of energy efficiency and/or reducing carbon emissions. Last year, Physis Synergy (Politecnico di Milano) received the award for its advances in developing new fuel cells based on advanced materials. Ahead of 2025, a webinar focusing on the world of start-ups was held to strengthen the projects of competitors who want to put themselves forward for the prize.

A future focused on innovation and sustainability
These updates confirm the Challenge’s position as a key event for those who are passionate about marine technology or working in sustainable innovation. By incorporating increasingly pioneering energy solutions and focusing on international collaboration, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is helping to shape yachting of the future, ensuring that it is cleaner, more efficient and less harmful to the environment.

Source: Monaco Government