3rd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous from 24 to 25 September

Final stage for candidates in the run up to the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards, presented at the end of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous organised by Monaco Marina Management (M3), experts in development, management and promotion of marinas & yacht clubs. The event enables financiers, policymakers and innovators to get together at Yacht Club de Monaco and be put in contact with the whole marina ecosystem against a backdrop of sustainable tourism.

"We want to encourage initiatives to build more eco-responsible yachting. Infrastructures such as marinas must reflect yachting today, a more restrained yachting in line with the environmental challenges we face today," says Bernard d'Alessandri, President Cluster Yachting Monaco and Yacht Club de Monaco General Secretary.

This original event is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the government's Extended Monaco digital transition programme for the Principality, as well as UBS, MB92 Group, Bombardier, GV Investments, Xerjoff et Royal Caviar House.

"Over 250 people representing the ecosystem will be present," says José Marco Casellini, CEO of M3, "It's so important to put everyone in contact with those behind these innovations. Sustainability is at the heart of investment decisions today".

Consensus Meeting: final phase of selection process

To participate in the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards, winners will have gone through a selection process of one-on-one interviews then a Consensus Meeting with the 60+ experts that comprise the international Jury. This year again positive impact innovation experts, Blumorpho selected 50 startups and scaleups to be in the E-Catalogue, while Monaco Marina Management selected 20 marinas and architects from 26 countries from its network, available online: https://sustainablesmartmarina.com/e-catalogue-2023.

Management of water, energy, waste and recovery, mobility, security, construction, port equipment and facilities to cope with climate change, and protecting and regenerating biodiversity are the themes those in the E-Catalogue are addressing.

"Regarding startups and scaleups, 245 interviews were held by members of the Jury, with 75% achieving the maximum score of 10 on the criteria of interest. The level of innovations put forward passed a milestone this year. One of the challenges of this exercise for Jury members is to have to make choices between innovation in the energy field, carbon sequestration, water management and also solutions specific to the day-to-day running of marinas. The discussions this weekend are set to be very interesting," says Géraldine A. Gustin, CEO of Blumorpho.

Professionals and students: architects in competition with new ideas competition

The International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards will be announced for three categories, Startups & Scaleups, Marinas, and Architects, on Monday 25th September. This year there is also an ideas competition to inspire architects and students to create waterfront projects that are not only attractive and functional but also sustainable. "This is the first time we've done this type of competition and it looks very promising for the future. We have had some very surprising proposals showing just how the yachting world and its environment is evolving. Yachting and marinas have so much to offer in our lives today", says Jury president, the renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

Sustainable tourism from a European and international perspective

Opening the debates on Monday 25th September, Olivier Darrasson, General Delegate of the Mediterranean Investors Club will be introducing, alongside Yassine Bouahara, President of Tell Group, PLIFF (PAMEx Local Investment Finance Facility), a funding tool for environmental projects in the Mediterranean, including its project for the green electrification of marinas.

This will be followed by the first panel discussion, 'Impact of the New Generation of Yachts on Marina Infrastructures'. Martinho Fortunato, President of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations), Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower and Marcello Maggi, President of Wider Yachts will look at the needs of infrastructures in the long-term to concrete cases in terms of electrification and refuelling with the new alternative fuels and accommodation of larger boats. Discussions will be on the Western Mediterranean but also the Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean and North Sea.

The next day focuses on sustainable tourism. With 960 million tourists recorded in 2022 (Source: World Tourism Organisation), international tourism revenue is on the rise again, breaking the USD 100 billion mark. The sector is now proactively working towards more responsible tourism.

Sustainable tourism is an essential asset for economic growth and the key role played by public organisations and policymakers is the theme.  A first round table dedicated to the European example and its challenges will welcome Linos Voskarides, Maritime Policy Officer, European Commission, Professor Alessandra Priante, United Nations World Tourism Organisation, François Guerquin, Director Plan Bleu and Christophe Madrolle, President of the Biodiversity, Sea and Coast Commission, Regional Natural Parks, Risks – Preparation for the global Convention on nature.

Talks will then move to the international situation and growth of ecotourism in the Middle East with the presence of Her Excellency Ana Elena Pinto Lizano, Costa Rica Ambassador for France and UNESCO, His Excellency Prince Saud bin Turki Al Saud, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Saudi Red Sea Authority, His Excellency Rear Admiral Reda Ahmed Ismail, Head of Maritime Transport Sector and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Elisabeth Anna Rebecca Chouraki, International Technical Expert PAMEx (Action Plan for a Model Mediterranean).

Sustainability is now an economic advantage and major issue for politicians, as evidenced by the presence of Heidy Serry, Consul General for Egypt, Guillaume Sainteny, Jean-François Dieterich, Mayor of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Metropolitan Councillor, Georges Botella, Mayor of Théoule, Regional Councillor Région Sud, President Marine Biodiversity for the Parliament of the Sea, Laurent Stefanini, General Secretary of the Oceans Summit Nice 2025, Anne-Marie Perez, Director of the Pôle CapEnergies, Laurent Moser, President of the Pôle Mer Méditerranée, Director Naval Group.

In accordance with the wishes of YCM's President HSH Prince Albert II de Monaco, who believes that "faced with the climate emergency, it is imperative that proof replaces all the promises", Yacht Club de Monaco aims to position the Principality as a driving force for responsible yachting, paving the way for innovations that could play a decisive role in the future.