Swiss Solar Boat triumphs in Monaco

For four days, Monaco was a hive of activity with sea trials, conferences and races. Organised by Yacht Club de Monaco supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H and ESA NanoTech, the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge saw 54 teams representing 21 nations, comprising over 500 students, researchers, industry professionals and shipyards (including Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, and Lürssen), united by one ambition to accelerate the maritime sector’s energy transition. Lionel Beffre, Monaco’s Minister of the Interior, came to meet teams on the last day, full of praise for an event that showcases another side of Monaco, one focused on innovation, research and the environmental transition. In his view, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has become a genuine open-air laboratory where students, industry players and researchers meet to develop the maritime solutions of tomorrow. “It is with this mix of cultures and ideas that we can make collective progress”. Much more than a competition, the event is a platform where research, higher education and industry converge. Prototypes take to the water, ideas circulate, technologies are put to the test in real-world conditions, and industry players come to observe, mentor and recruit talent that will shape yachting’s future. “It is a place where students, researchers, industry professionals and institutions meet to exchange ideas, test technologies and accelerate the maritime sector’s transition. Projects presented here evolve, and collaborations and strategic partnerships are forged. Yet again, the Challenge demonstrates that innovations destined to transform the maritime sector often gain momentum in Monaco,” says YCM Director and General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. A momentum that is aligned with the Principality’s long-standing tradition: “I am sure that world-first innovations are being unveiled here. They will be adopted, spark new ideas, or prompt further reflection for the shipyards”. This year, Switzerland topped the overall ranking with Swiss Solar Boat (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne). The Swiss team excelled throughout the week, regularly making the podium in the sports events, and the E-Championship, while also winning two Tech Talk Prizes (the Design Prize and the Eco-Design Prize).

Performances confirm technologies growing maturity

On-water results confirm the growing maturity of technologies presented here over the last few years. The Energy Class, AI Class, SeaLab Class and Open Sea Xperience categories enable all technologies to be assessed under identical conditions. For experimentation is an ideal way to learn, as Robin Amacher, Operations Manager at EPFL’s Discovery Learning Lab, who is involved with the Swiss Solar Boat team, explains: “Instead of learning it all theoretically they get a chance to build on their knowledge by putting it into practice”. Gaps between teams are also narrowing. As Jérémie Lagarrigue, President of the International Jury, points out, the self-imposed reduction of nearly 30% in permitted power this year did not lead to a drop in performance. On the contrary, average speeds were up by around 8%, signalling an overall improvement in the boats’ energy efficiency. During the Championship Race, a mere 30 centimetres separated the top two teams on the finish line, proof of the high level competitors have reached. Another highlight was the new speed record set by the Frauscher x Porsche – 790 Spectre, with an average speed of 51.05 knots. As well as the sports results, this edition marks another milestone in the maturity of the technologies showcased. Custom-developed batteries are achieving better performance thanks to new phase-change material (PCM) thermal management systems, able to maintain an optimal temperature during periods of high demand.

E-methanol makes its debut

An important innovation showcased this year is E-methanol used aboard the SURGE Methanol Foiling Team Twente (University of Twente) entry. As Jérémie Laguarrigue, President of the Challenge’s International Jury, explains E-methanol is different: “It’s important to understand that E-methanol is a fuel produced using hydrogen and captured CO2 which allows us to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint.”. On board, E-methanol is converted back into hydrogen to power a fuel cell, resulting in zero direct emissions. What’s more, its energy density is around three times higher than that of gaseous hydrogen for the same volume.

Conferences back-up sea trials

Like the prototypes, ideas were put to the test. The Advanced Yachting Technology Conference on Thursday 9 July highlighted major transformations shaping yachting’s future. Discussions made clear that the transition no longer relies solely on new propulsion systems, but a holistic approach integrating energy efficiency, AI, data utilisation, cybersecurity and new design tools. Speakers stressed the expanding role of AI in optimising navigation and design, while noting that human expertise remains essential and that special attention must be paid to cybersecurity from the vessel design stage onwards.

The next day, the 7^th Alternative Fuels & Sustainable Yachting Conference, organised by YCM and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, confirmed that decarbonisation of maritime transport will rely on a mix of complementary solutions, not just one technology. Hydrogen, methanol, wind propulsion, batteries and nuclear power were among topics discussed by industry players, researchers and classification societies. Technical solutions exist, but their deployment largely depends on infrastructure development, evolving regulations and the investments needed to support their commercialisation.

The Challenge as a catalyst for connections

Even before the races began, the Job Forum demonstrated how the Challenge brings students and companies together. Over the course of two days, there were nearly 300 interviews, paving the way for recruitment, internships and collaborations. “The students who take part bring something unique to the table. They are learning to manage their time, plan projects and work in teams, which are fundamental skills for developing a career in this business. They go away not only with an impressive CV but something even more valuable: interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a team,” explains Annalisa Gianoglio, Head of Development, Training & Engagement at Azimut | Benetti Group.

One of many students who came to meet recruiters, Milena Idolo, Design Unit Coordinator in the Politecnico di Milano team, sees this as an opportunity to get a head start on her career: “I’m nearing the end of my studies. It is a great opportunity to speak directly with companies, discuss our future and discover future opportunities”. However, these exchanges sometimes start much earlier with the Corporate Mentoring Programme when industry players support teams year-round to develop their projects.

Announcements outside the competition

An important announcement made at the event was that of the partnership between NatPower Marine and Aqua superPower to speed up the global rollout of electric charging solutions for ports and marinas. Both companies were taking part in the Challenge, NatPower H as official hydrogen supplier, and Aqua superPower with charging stations installed on the E-Dock for electric boats. Their shared goal is to support the electrification of the maritime sector through large-scale infrastructure designed as a cohesive network.

Monaco already onto the next stage

As the 13th edition demonstrated, the Challenge does not stand still but keeps on evolving. Now recognised as an international platform for innovation, the event continues to develop. Plans are underway to launch an international qualifying circuit for Energy Class boats, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Series, with an inaugural stage confirmed for Darwin, followed by a gradual rollout to other continents. The idea is to welcome new teams while upholding the high sports and technological standards that are a hallmark of this event.

A competition that exceeds its remit

One overriding certainty to emerge from this 13th edition, is that there is no longer a single technology capable of meeting every need. Hydrogen, batteries, E-methanol, wind propulsion and AI are shaping a future defined by diversity. The role now of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is to provide a testing ground for all these technologies before they make their way onto the docks of shipyards

2026 winners of the 13^th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

2026 MEBC Champion: Swiss Solar Boat

Energy Class winner: University of Bologna Argonauts Team – Italy

AI Class winner: Adria Autonomous Boat Team (Croatia)

SeaLab Class winner: Red Wave (Italy)

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Sustainable Yachting Technology Award -> Kumaraguru College of Technology – India

Innovation Prize -> Physis Polimi Energy (Politecnico di Milano-Italy)

Design Prize -> Swiss Solar Boat (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne-Switzerland)

Communication Prize -> Tecnico Solar Boat (Portugal)

Eco-Design Prize supported by MarineShift -> Swiss Solar Boat (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne-Switzerland)

Jury Coup de Cœur Prize -> Wia Electric Yachts (Hungary)

Rookie Prize -> Ugent Sailing (Belgium)

SeaLab record over 16 nautical miles -> Xnrg8.3 (Netherlands)

E-Sport Championship -> Tu Delft Hydro Motion Team (Netherlands)

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Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and presided over since 1984 by H.S.H. Prince Sovereign Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco brings together 2,500 members representing 82 nationalities. Bringing under its burgee some of the world’s most prestigious private yachts, the YCM now occupies a unique position in the world of yachting and international luxury boating.

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