The 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, scheduled for July 8-11, 2026, is set to draw a record 56 teams from 22 nations, marking a significant milestone since its inception in 2014. Organized under the 'Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting' initiative by the Yacht Club de Monaco, the event serves as a global laboratory for sustainable yachting and the energy transition in the maritime industry.
Record Participation and Diverse Categories
This year's edition includes four categories: Energy Class, AI Class for autonomous prototypes, SeaLab Class, and Open Sea Xperience. The Open Sea Xperience category, which showcases CE-certified zero-emission boats ready for real-world use, has attracted 16 teams. Notably, a university from the United States and a delegation from China will participate, underscoring the event's international appeal.
Open Sea Xperience: Bridging Prototypes and Commercial Application
The Open Sea Xperience category is designed to bridge the gap between experimental prototypes and commercial application. It allows shipyards and brands to test their zero-emission boats in real-world conditions, evaluating performance, autonomy, speed, and energy efficiency. Among the expected projects are the Wia 520HT, a 16-meter 100% electric yacht from Wia Electric Yachts, and the KRONOS 300 engine from Weenav, capable of delivering over 300 horsepower continuously. Other innovations include solar propulsion, electric jet engines, and autonomous navigation systems from companies like Elvene, ZeroJet, and Valkama Watercrafts. These boats will be on public display, offering a tangible look at the latest zero-emission solutions on the market.
Support and Industry Collaboration
The challenge is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, and SBM Offshore, with key industry players including Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, and Lürssen. Bernard d'Alessandri, Director and General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco, emphasized the value of the event: 'The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is an opportunity to put ideas into practice. Here, teams can test technologies in real-world conditions, exchange ideas with the industry, and share their experiences.'
2025 Winners Honored at Monaco E-Prix
Prior to the 2026 edition, the winners of the 2025 challenge were celebrated at the Monaco E-Prix. The UniBoAT – University of Bologna Argonauts Team (Italy) won the Energy Class, while the UAntwerp Solar Boat Team (Belgium) triumphed in the AI Class, and Red Wave – University of Bologna won the SeaLab Class. The Energy Class winners dominated the slalom and endurance events, innovation and design prizes, and shared the speed record with Elettra UniGe – Università di Genova. Their sophisticated approach included optimized propulsion, high-performance batteries, lighter boat design, and an in-house developed counter-rotating motor.
