What is the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge?

A major event focused on maritime innovation, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has been organised and developed by the Yacht Club de Monaco since 2014. Every year, engineering students design prototype boats powered by alternative energies, namely hydrogen, solar and electric. The event has become established as a benchmark in the sustainable yachting and maritime energy transition field.

Where and when does the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge take place?

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is held every summer at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Set up along Quai Louis II, contestants test their projects at sea in various on-water challenges that can be watched from Quai Luciana or the main harbour wall. Ashore, a packed programme of conferences, exchanges in the form of Tech Talks and workshops complement the demos at sea and competitions.

Who takes part in the event?

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge brings engineering students and yachting professionals together around a common goal: to experiment, demonstrate and debate sustainable maritime mobility. Every year around 1,000 students from 20-plus countries participate in the competitions, transforming Monaco into a living laboratory for international maritime innovation.

What are the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge’s objectives?

The overriding goal is to accelerate the decarbonisation of yachting. The event promotes research on: • Zero-emission propulsion, • Energy efficiency, • And reducing the environmental footprint of boats. It’s a platform for exchanges between young engineers, who debate ideas in open source, and researchers and shipyards on what technologies of the future could hold for yachting.

What categories participate in the event?

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge comprises several classes: • AI Class (new in 2025): this category is for autonomous vessels that integrate artificial intelligence into their navigation and energy management systems. • Energy Class: launched in 2018, this challenges teams to integrate innovative solutions (batteries, hydrogen, kinetic energy, wind power) into a standard hull supplied by YCM. • SeaLab Class: open to prototypes up to 12m, this class explores alternatives like green methanol. • Open Sea Class: this category showcases CE-certified zero-emission prototypes up to 25m.

How can I attend or follow the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge?

The races and demonstrations are open to the public. They take place in the YCM Marina or Monaco Bay and can be watched from YCM’s quays, Quai Luciana or the main harbour wall. The events include slaloms, speed records, manoeuvrability trials and endurance rallies. Results, photos and videos are published on the Yacht Club de Monaco’s official website and on YouTube.

What are the benefits for participants?

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge provides a truly unique environment for collaboration between students and yachting professionals, an interaction embodied in three key dynamics: mentoring, knowledge transfer and work placements. The Corporate Mentoring Programme enables industry experts to give university teams support depending on their technical needs and design objectives. The programme promotes innovation while introducing them to the realities of the industry. At the same time, the Job Forum creates a space for students and companies looking for talent to meet. It therefore accelerates careers, showcases skills and helps drive collective innovation for sustainable yachting.

Why is Monaco such a focal point for sustainable yachting?

Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953, the YCM has had HSH Prince Albert II as its president since 1984. In accordance with its public service remit, the Club contributes to the Principality’s appeal by bringing life to the main harbour, Port Hercule, and also federates yachting stakeholders operating in Monaco. By developing concrete initiatives like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, the YCM is a catalyst in the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach.