The 4th Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous concluded today at Yacht Club de Monaco after two packed days of conferences, networking and presentations. Organised by Monaco Marina Management (M3), the event attracted 250-plus maritime industry professionals from all over the world who came to meet innovators. Their shared goal is to modernise and make maritime infrastructures more sustainable. The meeting demonstrated how sustainability can drive change. Twenty selected startups and scaleups, around ten architect firms and a dozen marinas attended. “Tomorrow’s yachting must be smart and sustainable. Maritime infrastructures have to adapt to new needs and this event puts the spotlight on those changes,” said José Marco Casellini, CEO of M3.

A meeting focused on the future of sustainable yachting

Supported by key partners including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Extended Monaco, UBS, MB92 Group and Bombardier, this edition highlighted the importance of technological innovation and cross-sector partnerships to meet today’s environmental challenges. At the same time as the conference in the morning, innovation pitches were an opportunity to find out about innovative solutions from startups and scaleups that put sustainability at the heart of discussions. “We can see how sustainability and innovative technology are self-sustaining. Innovations are focused on creating a promising future for the planet,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, YCM General Secretary and President of Cluster Yachting Monaco. “The sustainability quest is urgent. As yachting enthusiasts, it is up to us to promote positive sustainable innovation efforts”.

 

Experts take the floor

Three conferences tackled sector-specific challenges and solutions, the first concentrating on the role of technologies in optimising unique experiences in a marina. Chaired by Captain Gino Battaglia, President of the Italian Yacht Masters association and event partner, this discussion saw interventions by experts like Captain Kelly J. Gordon who stressed the need for practical tools such as a smart berthing app. Maria Vera Vives, Head of Expansion and Sustainable Development at Alcudiamar Marina (Spain) presented initiatives such as smart terminals to measure energy consumption. Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (South Korea) stressed the importance of data collection for effective sustainable management, while Stavros Katsikadis President of the Board, Greek Marinas Association & Managing Director of LAMDA Marinas Investments S.M.S.A. (Greece) discussed integration of traditional and digital methods for better resource management. While they highlighted efficiency and need to digitize operations, they also stressed the complementarity between the needs of captains and marina managers to improve sustainability.

The second conference, chaired by Pascal Ferry, Deputy Director of IMSEE (Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) explored the challenges of financing sustainable development of marinas. Habacoa Marina founder and CEO, Ronnie Ben Zur alongside Klaus Peters CEO of InterMarinas and Liza Singer, advocate and founder of Karpaz Gate Marina, discussed barriers to investment. The problem of finding investment is a key issue as is the importance of land guarantees and employment and energy related costs. Data collection and transparency were identified as essential levers to attract more funds and create new opportunities. They also discussed the importance of integrating sustainability into the design from the start and synergies between marinas and real estate projects.

The last session, chaired by Oscar Siches, specialist and marina designer brought together Effie Nakajima Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects, Nicolas Jarry, Head of Maritime Projects and Port Structures at Tractebel Engineering, Janna Bystrykh, Director of the Architecture Master program at the Architecture Academy (Netherlands) and architect & innovator Henry Glogau. They stressed the need to apply regenerative architecture principles into marina design and that collaboration between architects and engineers is vital to combat environmental challenges.

All the talks at the conferences are available in replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/jYbLWAefJMY

Award winners for 2024: peer recognition

The International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards closed the event with prizes for the most outstanding projects.

For the Architecture Prize, the 2024 call for ideas was focused on designing an innovative floating marina for sensitive locations in the south of France.

  • Architecture Student – Cornelia Bosman (University of Pretoria, South Africa)

Her project stood out for its depth of approach that combined innovation with exemplary eco-responsible thinking.

  • Architecture Professional – STRUCTURELAB (Germany)

Acclaimed for its elegant modular design, this project offers an aesthetic yet functional solution. The firm focuses on ecological and sustainable architecture. Its expertise includes modular timber construction, real estate transformation, smart densification and green facades incorporating vegetation.

  • Coup de Cœur du Public – Architecture – ARROGANT ARCHITECTS (Bulgaria)

This firm found favour with the public due to its commitment to sustainability that includes artificial nurseries, improved thermal insulation and use of seawater heat pumps, while integrating prefabricated and local materials to cut CO2 emissions. The modular approach optimises construction processes, reduces costs and maximises efficiency.

  • Marina – ALCUDIAMAR (Spain)

This marina uses smart energy management systems to optimise electricity and water consumption, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. It has installed charging points for electric vehicles and boats and adopts innovative solutions to manage waste like the Flovac system. It also cuts down on paper by promoting online services, QR codes, and digital documents for inhouse management.

  • Coup de Cœur du Jury – Marina – SETUR MARINAS KAS (Turkey)

The Jury was impressed by its sustainability investments, including solar installations and biodiversity conservation strategies. Committed to protecting the environment, it has achieved certifications like the Blue Flag and ISO 14001 : 2015. Actions include managing invasive species, investing in renewable energy and a waste management strategy to reduce plastic pollution. The marina is committed to renewable energy with its investment in solar power and dedicated area for solar panels generating maritime energy.

  • Startup – CLEAN SEA SOLUTIONS (Norway)

With the Aquapod® and Aquadrone, patented technologies to collect plastic waste in urban coastal areas so it does not enter the ocean, this startup’s visionary approach to the plastic pollution battle won them first prize.

  • Scaleup – ECOCEAN (France)

This firm won the scaleup award for its impact on marine biodiversity regeneration in marinas thanks to its Biohut® solution. An artificial nursery installed in more than 50 harbours and marinas, it protects juvenile fish by recreating local food chains and supporting the growth of 500 species.

Note that innovators are also offered a consultancy support programme by event partner Robert Allen Law to help them expand their business internationally.

Professionals will again be at Yacht Club de Monaco, Thursday 26th September for the 28th Captains’ Forum that will focus on yachting’s image.