Cannes Yachting Festival 2025: Innovation serving experience and decarbonized power

The “Innovation Route” at Cannes Yachting Festival © Constance Milojevic

Developing the attractiveness of recreational yachting and meeting environmental requirements are two firm priorities for players in the yachting industry.

Electric or hybrid propulsion systems, bio-based composite materials, energy optimisation solutions or intelligent on-board systems... boat builders and equipment manufacturers are making a vast number of concrete innovations not only to reduce their environmental footprint, but also to meet increasing expectations in terms of comfort, connectivity, ease of use and the enjoyment of navigating.

Today, performance or ecological impact are not the only elements considered when innovating. Innovation is approached as an all-round response to the new lifestyles of recreational boat owners, with intuitive navigation, automated equipment, easy maintenance, on-board connectivity, optimised comfort and space modularity all key aspects.

Since 2018, the global market for electric engines for recreational boats has grown by 30%*, the use of bio-based materials in boatbuilding by 35%** and the installation of solar panels on recreational boats by 40%***. These figures illustrate boat builders' and equipment manufacturers' willingness to accelerate their commitment to an eco-responsible transition while integrating a new generation of users' expectations: they are demanding, connected, mobile, concerned about their impact but also looking for immediateness, tranquillity and emotion.

Against this backdrop, the Cannes Yachting Festival, Europe's largest in-water boat show, the season's first nautical event and an unmissable meeting place for the sector, is bringing back its Innovation Route, a real showcase of breakthrough technologies and eco-friendly approaches. The 2025 edition includes new exhibitors and sees the launch of the Innovation Route Awards to reward the most remarkable projects in order to better promote the players who are shaping more attractive and sustainable sailing, without compromising on performance or enjoyment.

2025: an edition focused on impact

For its new edition, new features are enhancing the Innovation Route, which aims to highlight solutions with the potential to have high impact. Boats, equipment or services selected by a jury of experts will be identified by dedicated signage and benefit from enhanced visibility throughout the show.

"In addition to presenting world premieres and state-of-the-art boats in terms of design, the role of the Cannes Yachting Festival is also to highlight technological and environmental advances that are changing the game and redefining the standards of yachting. Through the Innovation Route, we have brought in several experts and organised 4 categories to look at and highlight exhibitors who are firmly committed to decarbonising the sector with proven solutions - electric propulsion, bio-based materials, intelligent systems, etc. - that reflect deep, sustainable transformation of the industry, but also new technologies that will improve the recreational boat user experience. This is a strategic lever for them because they benefit from increased visibility for their high-impact boats, equipment or services. This Innovation Route is also a powerful tool for visitors, who can organise their visit around the most innovative and responsible products," explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.

The Innovation Route Awards: a call for applications open to all exhibitors

Exhibitors were able to submit their project via a dedicated registration platform. This year, the Cannes Yachting Festival introduces the Innovation Route Awards, which will recognise the most outstanding projects in four categories:

• sustainable and responsible technologies,
• solutions that improve the navigation experience,
• propulsion systems or alternative energies,
• processes or products with low environmental impact

A jury of recognised experts

The 2025 jury brings together influential personalities from the nautical sector, including:

• Guillaume Arnaud des Lyons, Deputy General Manager of the FIN,
• Thierry Berest, Founder of Boat and Sea Consulting, maritime consultant,
• Jean-Christophe Guillaumin, Editor - author - journalist - Editor Figaro Nautisme,
• Geoffroy Langlade, Journalist & Entrepreneur,
• Elena Patriarca, Director of Adzurra S.r.l.,
• Craig Ritchie, North America Editor. International Boat Industry (IBI)

The winners will be announced when the show opens on Tuesday 9 September 2025. A Special Jury Prize may be awarded to a particularly bold or exemplary project.

From 9 to 14 September 2025, visit the Vieux Port and Port Canto to discover the innovations shaping the sailing of the future.

*Source: IEMI, Biobased Materials in the Marine Industry Repo rt, 2023
**Source: Grand View Research, Electric and Hybrid Boat Engine Ma rket Rep ort, 2023
***Source: Féd ération des Indus tries Nau tiques (FIN - French Marine Indu stry Federation), Recreational Boat Equipment Survey, 2023