The 13th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge concluded on July 14, 2026, marking a significant expansion with the launch of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge World Series. Organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco, the event brought together 54 teams from 21 countries, including participants from France, Italy, Switzerland, India, Puerto Rico, and China. The new World Series aims to create a more competitive pathway for future editions, with the first qualifying event scheduled for April 2027 on Lake Como, Italy, supported by Volta27 and the Alessandro Volta Foundation. A second qualifying event will debut in 2027 in Darwin, Australia, serving as a route for Asia-Pacific teams to the 2028 World Final.

Bernard d'Alessandri, General Secretary and Managing Director of the Yacht Club de Monaco, highlighted the event's growth from just two boats in its first year to a global platform for innovation. "Every year we see young people bringing new ideas," d'Alessandri explained. "There is no other place where so many young people work on yachting projects while presenting genuine innovations." The event also featured a high-level conference program addressing the future of sustainable yachting, climate adaptation, and the energy transition in the maritime sector.

Competition Results and Innovations

The Energy Class podium was dominated by Italian teams. The University of Bologna Argonauts Team secured first place, winning both the Slalom race and the Championship race by narrow margins. Politecnico di Milano and UniGenova followed in second and third place, respectively. The Swiss Solar Boat Team was crowned the overall champion. In the AI Class, the Adria Autonomous Boat Team from Croatia took first place, while the SeaLab Class was won by Red Wave from Italy.

A notable innovation this year was the introduction of e-methanol by the SURGE Methanol Foiling Team Twente from the University of Twente. Jérémie Lagarrigue, President of the Challenge's International Jury, explained that e-methanol is produced by combining green hydrogen with captured CO₂, achieving a neutral CO₂ emissions balance. Among the newcomers, Hainan University from China designed and built a carbon-fibre tubular structure prototype in less than two months.

Industry Collaboration and Future Outlook

The event served as a laboratory for students, researchers, and industry leaders to collaborate on maritime solutions. Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior for the Principality of Monaco, praised the challenge as an example of Monaco's commitment to innovation and environmental transition. "It is by bringing together different cultures and ideas that we will collectively move forward," Beffre stated.

Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW, SBM Offshore, Monaco City Hall, NatPower H, and ESA NanoTech, the event united over 600 students with major shipyards including Safe Harbor, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, and Lürssen. The 2027 edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 3.