Hybrid systems, energy efficiency, circular materials, innovation inrefits, andthe protection of marine ecosystems. These are the key steps tosetting sail with favorable windstowardenvironmentally friendly superyachting. But this is precisely where the paradox lies:technology can evolve more rapidly than the infrastructure needed to support it. Electric charging,shore power, alternative fuels, and new energy solutions all require adequate ports,marinas, andindustrial supply chains. TheBlue Wakerevolutiontherefore necessitates the transformation of the entire nautical ecosystem—a process that is stilla work in progress.
From what we’ll see atMYS 2026, it’s clear that the transformation ofthe superyacht industryis increasingly centered onenergy efficiency. The search for hulls capable of reducing the carbon footprint goes hand in hand with more advanced management of propulsion and onboard systems, including monitoring systems capable of controlling energy consumption and loads.
In this process,technologyis playing an increasingly important role. Collecting and interpreting on-board data makes it possible to use energy more efficiently by adjusting operating procedures and reducing waste. The goal, therefore, is not merely to consume less, but to integrate design, propulsion, and electronics into a system capable of continuously optimizing its performance.
On the technological front, CMC Marine is bringingthe Energy Recovery System (ERS) to the Monaco Yacht Show—a patented technology inspired by Formula1’sKERS (Kinetic EnergyRecovery System)—designed to recover and reuse the energy generated on board. In the field of wind-assisted propulsion, VPLP Design is presentingWind Voyage, which incorporatesOceanWings® rigid sails, with the goal of significantly reducing fuel consumption through the use of wind energy.
Another significant leap forward involves thedigitization of sustainability. ETYC develops tools to monitor and manage the environmental footprint throughout a yacht’s entire life cycle, while Kongsberg Maritime applies integrated energy management systems and predictive algorithms to optimize energy consumption and reduce operational waste. Data thus becomes an essential component of the transition:measurement enables action, comparison, and verification of results.
A refitfollows the same logic of evolution. Making modifications to an existing yacht allows for the gradual upgrading of its propulsion, equipment, and control systems, improving its efficiency and performance without necessarily having to build a new vessel. Its environmental value, however, depends on the quality and actual effectiveness of the modifications, as well as on the materials and technologies used.
Amico & Co, exhibiting at the show, is a particularly significant example in therefit sector, with an infrastructure that integratessolar power, shore power, wastewater treatment, and advanced waste management systems. Ares Yachts, on the other hand, brings the concept of hybridization directly on board withSimena, a sailing superyacht equipped withparallel hybrid propulsion, batteries, and energy-recovery systems during sailing.
Thechoice of materialsalso reflects this new approach. The use of wood from certified sources, such as those recognized bythe Forest Stewardship Council, introduces traceability criteria and a greater focus on the origin of raw materials. At the same time, lighter materials and advanced design solutions can help reduce total weight and improve the boat’s overall efficiency. It is precisely in this context that the horizon of superyachting is expanding: no longer just toward larger yachts, but toward more advanced, connected, and efficient yachts. And the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show represents one of the key vantage points for this evolution.
