YCM ramps up commitment to a sustainable future
Today, more than ever, every action counts when it comes to sustainability. As an organisation that has been committed to a rigorous environmental policy for over a decade, Yacht Club de Monaco continues to combine respect for the environment with societal engagement. In 2024, the Club took another notable step on this path.
A turning point for maritime innovation
Since its launch in 2014, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has been demonstrating the effectiveness of propulsion and hull design-driven innovation. After a record participation in 2024 involving 40 universities, over 700 students from 25 countries, of which 450 were on site, the event is taking a new turn. Changes have been made while maintaining its mentoring program and Job Forum that forge bridges with the industry as they create a unique link between talented young people and professionals. “The goal is to continue promoting technological advances to build the future of recreational boating,” explains Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of Yacht Club de Monaco and a driving force behind the meeting. Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, UBS, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event attracts support from major players including Monaco Marine, Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Azimut | Benetti Group, Sanlorenzo and Lürssen. For students, it is a long-term project as they work all year round to a rigorous schedule to meet the criteria:
Yachting faces up to safety and social media challenges
Cluster Yachting Monaco
Winter Pop-Up
The Cluster Yachting Monaco held its annual Winter Pop-Up, a landmark event that brought together professionals from across the industry and a fleet of yachts moored in the YCM Marina presented by companies including Ocean Independence, Fraser Yachts and Althaus Yachting. Yachting stakeholders and visitors were able to visit the boats on display before discussing the thorny issue of ‘Charting safety, responsibility and media influence’. “The event is held under the aegis of our collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ initiative. It provides a communication platform that is essential to progress discussions and better analyse the sector, which is undergoing profound changes,” began Bernard d’Alessandri, President of the Cluster Yachting Monaco.
Deep dive into ecological and social issues affecting yachting
29th Captains’ Forum
On International Maritime Organization (IMO) World Maritime Day, the day after the Owners’ Lunch, Yacht Club de Monaco held its annual Captains’ Forum that gathered over a hundred superyacht captains, the linear length of their commands totalling 4,200m, and industry specialists. The meeting is in line with the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach and saw some fascinating discussions on the image of yachting. Before the 29th Captains’ Forum, a survey conducted among 130 superyacht captains revealed key trends affecting the sector’s future.
Owners get together
Under the aegis of the collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach, Yacht Club de Monaco is positioned as an institution in the heart of the Principality that remains true to its traditions. Hence why every year the Club organises an Owners Lunch on the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show, an event that has become a ‘must-show’ and on Wednesday saw 60 owners of YCM flagged yachts gathering for lunch.
Betting on the future for yachting’s ecological and economic transition
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.
Technological innovation a cornerstone of sustainability
A sector-wide desire to write the next chapter in the industry’s future sees 250-plus professionals (entrepreneurs, industrialists, investors, promoters and marina developers from all over the world, architects), representing 25 nationalities, come together at Yacht Club de Monaco for the 4th Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (22-23 September). More than ever, the environmental challenges facing the planet require deep reflection from the yachting industry, with resilience and innovation emerging as the cornerstones of a prosperous future. At the heart of the eco-transformation, new technologies are revolutionising practices. Thanks to the range of innovations presented by startups and scaleups and projects developed by architects involved in the event, it is possible to envisage more efficient and effective management of resources.
50Steel Almax by Sanlorenzo achieves SEA Index® certification
The SEA Index®, set up in 2020 by Yacht Club de Monaco and Credit Suisse (UBS Group Company), has become the standard of reference for assessing CO2 emissions of pleasure boats. Its purpose is to support yacht owners keen to be more sustainable and accompany them in their transition towards better practices. Certified by Lloyd’s Register, SEA Index® guarantees ratings accuracy through a rigorous procedure before granting certification. Recently recognised by the CAPENERGIES label, the SEA Index® is also now deployed in 15 harbours and marinas in a triangle between Menton, Saint-Tropez and Bonifacio in Corsica, including YCM Marina and Monaco’s harbours (SEPM), as well as the Seychelles (Eden Marina and Port Victoria), the Blue Economy Ministry having recently joined the SEA Index® initiative.
11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge: a laboratory of innovations driving technological progress
Speed record, teams battling it out on the water, and key players in the industry to support them, the 11th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, is established as the mecca for alternative propulsion in yachting. With 40 universities in competition, 700 students involved all-year of which 450 were here in Monaco, 25 nations and 50-plus boats on the sea, it once again stood out as a zero-emission event in terms of mobility.
At the Yacht Club de Monaco the hydrogen innovation in the maritime industry
Addressing hydrogen innovation in the maritime and yachting industry. It is the goal of the annual Hydrogen Round Table (5th edition this year) organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Energy Transition and YCM, that was held at the Yacht Club de Monaco during the Energy Boat Challenge.