Fourth edition focused on sustainability and innovation.
For the 4th consecutive year Monaco Marina Management (M3) is organising another edition of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous to be held 22 and 23 September 2024 at Yacht Club de Monaco. This networking event will gather 250+ delegates including entrepreneurs, industrialists, investors, promoters and marina developers from all over the world. “The creativity, engagement, solutions and expertise of participants is absolutely essential if we want to design the marinas of tomorrow,” says José Marco Casellini, CEO of M3.
As part of the collective approach of “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting”, this meeting is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Principality’s Digital Transition Programme, Extended Monaco implemented by the Monaco Government, along with UBS, MB92 Group and Bombardier. All three are leaders in their respective sectors and have been involved in the organisation of the event since its creation in 2021, both as jury members and as speakers at various conferences and workshops.
Following on from the Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous earlier this year and convinced of the need for a 360° sustainable approach, the organisers continue to develop the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous. Both events share a global vision to modernise the yachting sector. “As in the automobile industry, where infrastructure has to adapt to new generation vehicles, yachting must integrate technological innovations to meet the needs of tomorrow’s yachts,” stresses Bernard d’Alessandri, President of Cluster Yachting Monaco and YCM’s General Secretary. “Without suitable infrastructure and facilities, it will be difficult for us to move the sector forward together. It is essential to mobilise all stakeholders, from yacht designers to marina managers, to ensure a transition to smarter, more sustainable yachting.”
A shared commitment by key players
It’s proving a successful focus for organisers as evidenced by the involvement of yet more newcomers, such as the Italian Yacht Masters Association for Italian superyachts and the prestigious Sanlorenzo shipyard which will host participants aboard the 50Steel Almax for a networking breakfast on Monday 23 September.
It is the world’s first superyacht to embrace the Reformer – Fuel Cell modular system, developed in partnership with Siemens Energy, that transforms green methanol into hydrogen then electricity to power all the vessel’s hospitality equipment, without having to store hydrogen on board. “The Sanlorenzo 50Steel represents an important step on our path towards a more sustainable yachting industry and embodies the passion for challenges that has always guided us. We are adopting ground-breaking solutions to achieve this objective while maintaining our elegant, comfortable lines. Our 2030 roadmap, which is part of our carbon neutrality strategy, is now taking shape and we are keen to bring our ambitions to fruition,” says Massimo Perotti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sanlorenzo.
The main players in the sector have responded to the invitation including Jean-Marc Bolinger, CEO of MB92 Group: “The transition to sustainability requires cooperation, innovation and openness. Events like this one are an opportunity for concepts to find their market so they become reality and help make a real difference.”
E-Catalogue 2024: discover sustainable innovations and new architectural projects
With 29 nationalities represented, the event illustrates a global commitment to infrastructures adapted to climate issues. For this 4th edition, projects in favour of sustainable marinas are available on the official website.
The E-catalogue features a selection of startups and scaleups, a dozen architecture firms, nearly 30 students working in the sector, as weel as a dozen marinas.
Alongside last year’s winners, Karpaz Gate (Turkey) and Limassol Marina (Cyprus), there are marinas known for the quality of their facilities and unique combination of services and commitment to sustainability. They include Porto Carlo Riva (Italy), Puerto Sherry (Spain), Alcudiamar Marina in the Balearic Islands, 31st Street Harbor in Chicago (USA), Kas Marina, one of the most exclusive marinas in Turkey and Astir Marina Vouliagmenis (Greece). Inaugurated in May 2024, this marina at the heart of the Athenian Riviera is designed according to strict ecological standards and is preparing to sign a cooperation agreement with the YCM in order to obtain ‘La Belle Classe Destinations’ certification.
Also included in the 2024 E-Catalogue are Porto Habacoa (Bahamas), the largest superyacht marina in North America, with 150 berths for superyachts (up to 213 metres), due to open in 2027, Willoughby Marina (USA) and the eagerly awaited AMAALA destination (Saudi Arabia). This mega-project, which includes a 7,900 m2 yacht club and marina at Triple Bay, integrates sustainability and wellness in the Red Sea, an area of outstanding natural beauty. All these developments promise to meet the most stringent environmental requirements and to create new direct and indirect jobs for the local population.
A platform where professionals and innovators can meet
More than 250 professionals will have a chance to exchange ideas and establish strategic partnerships. Delegates can discover and test the latest innovations from startups and scaleups in the exhibition area and attend round tables at three conferences, on the Monday, which will explore how technology, the banking sector and architecture can transform marinas. The two networking days are open to all professionals. Tickets are available from the website.
Talent at the service of tomorrow’s infrastructures
This year, a call for proposals invites architects and students to design an innovative floating marina for ecologically sensitive areas. The jury is chaired by Zaha Hadid Architects, with the valuable and consistent participation of architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and yacht designer Dan Lenard. The implementation of a floating marina project embodies a strategic response to contemporary environmental and infrastructural challenges while leveraging innovation for sustainable coastal development.
International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards: ecosystem recognition
At the end of two intense days of exchanges and networking, the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards will be presented on Monday 23rd September at 4.00pm to winners in three categories: Startups & Scaleups, Marinas and Architects (Professional & Student). These awards are highly valued by the winners as they open doors, as was the case for François Frigola, CEO and co-founder of Nereid Water (Switzerland), winner of the Innovation Startup award in 2023. “It was an opportunity to measure the impact of our innovation against our peers to the extent that Veolia’s Innovation Director, a Jury member, met up with us in December. Since then we’ve had numerous requests from marinas and have completed our technical process for the Capenergies label. We roll out our first two contracts in 2025 in Mexico and Mayotte and have won a new site for the French Navy at Saint-Mandrier. We plan to install the first 100m³ in Monaco.”
In brief, for participants the rendezvous can offer a springboard as well as help fast-track development.
