Monaco Hosts Global Forum for Sustainable Marina Development
The 5th Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous officially began today, September 21, 2025, at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco. The two-day event, concluding on September 22, brings together over 250 international professionals, including marina managers, architects, investors, manufacturers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and students. Organized by M3 Monaco (Monaco Marina Management), the rendezvous is dedicated to accelerating the environmental transition within marina infrastructure and fostering the development of sustainable, connected, and human-centered port facilities.
Focus on Environmental Transition and Practical Solutions
The core objective of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous is to transform sustainable marina concepts into tangible, practical solutions. Key discussions and workshops during the event will delve into critical issues facing the industry, including:
- Creating coastal destinations that balance attractiveness with ecosystem preservation.
- Establishing robust financial and regulatory frameworks to support sustainable coastal tourism.
- Leveraging data analytics for responsible and efficient marina management.
- Strategies for energy transition, including the adoption of greener fuels, setting Net 0 targets, and waste reduction.
- Innovative design principles for resilient and energy-efficient infrastructure.
- Diversifying and innovating the services offered by marinas to meet future demands.
Highlighting Innovation and Collaboration
This year's rendezvous introduces several key initiatives designed to drive innovation. A significant new feature for 2025 is SMART Dock, an initiative aimed at co-designing a smart, sustainable, and user-centered marina dock that integrates connected technologies, modularity, and energy transition principles. The Smart Marina Architecture Competition challenges participants to reinvent the Venezia Certosa Marina in Venice, focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure designs. A central element of the program is the presentation of the SEA Index®, the Yacht Club de Monaco's benchmark tool for measuring and reducing the environmental footprint of yachts, with updates on its latest advancements and a working session for certified ports and marinas. The event will culminate with the presentation of the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards, recognizing outstanding projects and initiatives across categories including Startups & Scale-ups, Marinas, and Architects.
A Platform for Tangible Progress
Since its inception in 2021, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous has become a global focal point for sustainable innovation. It has engaged over 110 start-ups, 50 marinas, and 30 architecture firms from around the world, leading to the development of concrete projects. José Marco Casellini, CEO of M3 Monaco, emphasized the event's mission: 'Our mission is to transform visions into concrete actions and jointly implement sustainable solutions that serve communities and speed up the transition to responsible yachting.' Bernard d'Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco, added, 'In five years the meeting has become a collective workshop where marinas, architects and innovators develop tangible solutions. It is time now to implement them, by comparing visions and prototypes to sustainably transform port facilities for the long term.' This collaborative approach underscores Monaco's commitment to leading the charge in creating a more responsible and sustainable future for the global yachting industry.
6 Comments
Fuerza
The focus on tangible solutions and collaboration is exactly what we need. Great event!
Manolo Noriega
The focus on collaboration and awards for innovative projects is great for fostering new ideas and competition. Still, the economic models supporting these 'smart' and 'sustainable' marinas often cater to an exclusive clientele, potentially excluding broader access and benefits.
Fuerza
Finally, a serious global effort for sustainable marinas! This is truly inspiring.
Ongania
Measuring environmental footprints with tools like the SEA Index® is a crucial step towards accountability and improvement. Nevertheless, true sustainability also requires a significant shift in consumer mindset and a willingness to reduce the scale and frequency of yachting activities.
Fuerza
While it's commendable to discuss sustainable marina infrastructure, the core issue of the yachting industry's overall environmental impact remains largely unaddressed. We need broader systemic changes, not just smarter docks.
Donatello
It's encouraging to see so many professionals come together to tackle these challenges and raise awareness. Yet, without strong, enforceable international regulations, these discussions might not translate into universal, mandatory adoption across all marinas.