THE CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE 47 SELECTED INNOVATIONS OF THE “INNOVATION ROUTE 2026” AND THE FINALISTS OF THE “INNOVATION ROUTE AWARDS”
Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: 47 Innovations Selected for the Innovation Route Awards.
From 120 applications, 47 pioneering projects have been selected to showcase the technologies shaping a cleaner, smarter and more accessible future for recreational boating.
Launched in 2024, the Innovation Route quickly established itself as an essential feature of the Cannes Yachting Festival, Europe’s largest in-water boat show. Dedicated to technological excellence and environmentally responsible initiatives, the route showcases the advances transforming the future of the boating industry.
For its 2026 edition, the Cannes Yachting Festival is renewing the Innovation Route Awards, recognising the most remarkable projects and celebrating the pioneers working to make recreational boating more accessible, sustainable, connected and responsible.
From 120 applications to 47 selected innovations this year’s selection process was particularly competitive, attracting 120 applications. Following extensive deliberations, a jury of six industry experts selected 47 outstanding innovations based on their boldness, relevance and potential to transform the sector.
“The role of the Cannes Yachting Festival is to enhance the appeal of boating and inspire our visitors. Promoting the solutions and initiatives developed by our exhibitors is therefore a natural priority. We are immensely proud to see these innovations take such a prominent place at the Festival.
“The 47 selected boats, products and services demonstrate the industry’s deep commitment to more responsible recreational boating without ever compromising the pleasure of being on the water” said Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.
Innovations shaping the future of boating the 47 selected projects reflect the major trends currently transforming the boating industry:
- Electrification and the energy transition: Innovations include the 100% electric-solar WHISPER 52 catamaran; WEENAV’s Plug & Play system, featuring its 97% recyclable KRONOS battery; and JOOOL’s OneBox, an intelligent energy platform powered by hydrogeneration.
- Performance and next-generation mobility: Selected projects include the SKAW A, a family-oriented foiling yacht, and the MIRAVA Smart Boat, equipped with Hydroglide technology.
- Equipment, safety and eco-efficiency: Highlights include BLUENAV’s Smart Mooring system, FACNOR’s TACKFURL racing furler, TBS Marine’s customised VEEM propulsion solution, which reduces fuel consumption by 18%, and Spot Zero’s Generation 3 combined desalination and water-purification system.
- Corporate responsibility and biodiversity: Initiatives include the deployment of D-Marin Biohuts®, artificial habitats installed beneath marina pontoons to support the restoration of marine biodiversity in port environments.
Together, these projects demonstrate the strong momentum of an industry committed to delivering more sustainable, efficient and connected boating experiences.
The Innovation Route Awards the four winners of the Innovation Route Awards will be announced on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, during the Festival’s Exhibitors’ Cocktail Reception. Each winner will receive an exclusive trophy created by France Hélice.
A Special Jury Prize will also recognise a particularly bold or exemplary project that represents an exceptional contribution to innovation within the industry.
A jury of leading industry experts the 2026 jury comprises six experienced professionals from across the maritime and boating sectors:
- Guillaume Arnaud des Lions, Deputy General Delegate, FIN—Fédération des Industries Nautiques
- Thierry Berest, Maritime Expert, Boat & Sea Consulting
- Rachel Goult, Managing Director, Yacht Carbon Offset
- Jean-Christophe Guillaumin, Journalist, Figaro Nautisme
- Geoffroy Langlade, Journalist and Entrepreneur
- Elena Patriarca, Director, Adzurra S.r.l.
Most of the jury members have participated in the initiative since its launch and have witnessed a clear acceleration in technological progress.
“Participating in the jury again provides a unique opportunity to see how rapidly technologies are evolving from one year to the next, while continuing to support the boldest projects presented by our industry,” said Thierry Berest.
Geoffroy Langlade added: “Innovation is more focused than ever on sustainable technologies that reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, while artificial intelligence and automation are making navigation safer and more seamless.”
Commenting on the sector’s decarbonisation, Rachel Goult said: “The green transition has become a genuine driving force for our industry. I joined this jury with the ambition of highlighting pragmatic advances that successfully combine climate responsibility with the preservation of an exceptional boating experience.”
Discover the Innovation Route in Cannes throughout the Festival, dedicated signage across the Vieux Port and Port Canto will identify the 47 selected innovations. The projects will also be featured across the Cannes Yachting Festival’s digital and editorial platforms.
In just two editions, the Innovation Route has become an essential destination for discovering the technologies shaping the future of boating and meeting the companies driving the sector forward.
From 8 to 13 September 2026, visitors are invited to explore the Vieux Port and Port Canto and discover the innovations defining the future of recreational boating.
