Cannes Yachting Festival selects 47 projects for 2026 Innovation Route

From recyclable batteries and electro-solar propulsion to foil technology, smart mooring and artificial marine habitats, the Cannes Yachting Festival’s 2026 Innovation Route offers a snapshot of where marine technology is heading.

CYF is renewing its Innovation Route Awards to reward the most remarkable projects and highlight pioneers of more accessible, clean, connected and responsible leisure boating.

Out of 120 applications, 47 innovations have been selected for the route.

“The role of the Cannes Yachting Festival is to increase the attractiveness of boating and inspire our visitors,” says Constance Brément, director of CYF. “Promoting our exhibitors’ future solutions and initiatives is a natural priority.”

CYF says the selection was, once again, particularly demanding, but after in-depth deliberations, the jury of six experts selected innovations that stand out for their boldness, relevance and ability to transform the industry.

“It is a real source of pride to see the central place these solutions occupy at the Cannes Yachting Festival,” continues Brément. “The 47 boats, equipment and services selected testify to the deep commitment of the entire industry to more responsible leisure boating, without ever compromising on the enjoyment of sailing.”

Innovation Route Awards winners to be announced at Cannes

Most of the judges have been involved since the initiative was launched and have witnessed the acceleration of technological development.

“Participating in this jury again allows you to see how fast technologies are evolving from one year to the next, and to continue to support the boldest projects our industry presents,” says Thierry Berest.

Meanwhile Geoffroy Langlade says the sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation “Innovations are focused more than ever on sustainable technologies to reduce the carbon footprint, while AI and automation make navigation safer and smoother.”

The green transition has become the real driver of our industry, believes Rachel Goult, as decarbonisation is increasingly driving innovation in the sector.

Throughout the festival, dedicated signage will identify the selected innovations. As soon as the show opens on Tuesday 8 September, the four winners of the Innovation Route Awards will be announced and each winner will receive an exclusive trophy by France Hélice.

A Special Jury Prize will also be awarded to a particularly bold or exemplary project, highlighting an exceptional innovation.

Innovations on the route include:

• Whisper 52’s 100 per cent electro-solar catamaran
• Weenav’s Kronos Plug & Play battery system
• Joool’s OneBox hydro-generation platform
• Skaw Sailing’s foiling sailboat
• Mirava’s smart boat with hydroglide technology
• Bluenav’s smart mooring
• Facnor’s racing furler
• TBS Marine / VEEM’s customised propulsion
• Spot Zero’s generation 3 desalination and purification system
• D-Marin’s biohuts (artificial habitats)