Monaco Energy Boat Challenge Launches World's First AI Racing Class

The 12th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge opened July 1, 2025, featuring a groundbreaking AI Class for autonomous vessels alongside traditional categories. Nine teams from universities worldwide are competing in autonomous navigation and energy management challenges, with vessels operating independently except for safety overrides. Industry backing: Major shipyards including Sanlorenzo, Azimut|Benetti, Oceanco, and Lürssen support participating teams, while NatPower H provides free hydrogen refueling. The Prince Albert II Foundation's €25,000 Sustainable Yachting Technology Award highlights the event's focus on practical maritime innovation. Technical showcase: The AI Class demonstrates real-world applications of autonomous vessel technology, from navigation algorithms to energy optimization systems.
[Monaco Energy Boat Challenge]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 2 July 2025.