Europe

SHOW REPORT 

For more information on the marine market, visit MarineLink, the Power Systems Research proprietary marine products database.

More than 600 exhibitors from the marine pleasure industry showed off their latest models of boats, yachts, marine equipment and other products and services at the 47^th annual Cannes Yachting Festival, Europe’s biggest in-water event, just closed its doors. The event ran Sept. 10-15.

An estimated 50,000 visitors attended the festival and got an excellent note for organization from all participants and visitors. The next year’s edition will be held Sept. 9-14, 2025.

The electric marine market has been very dynamic in the last 10 years and electric products and accessories were very popular at the show. Investments in research and development of new technologies and their implementation into boats have been extremely high.

Electric boats and yachts are, as expected, more expensive than traditionally powered boats but in the long term they produce savings on fuel and maintenance. The electric boats boating benefits are still unknown to the large public and need promotion.

Many electric and hybrid boat and equipment manufacturers that we talked with at the show confirm that the market is growing but slower than they had been hoping. The EU regulations for CO2 emission reduction in inland and open water, development of infrastructure in marinas, better technologies, safety and capacity of batteries, are still challenging battle fields.

We estimate that the electrification of the marine pleasure industry will have a positive trend in coming years. This year growth is estimated to 15% compared to 2023. The years approaching 2030 will bring more opportunities in pleasure segments as popularization of the new style and sustainable boating is seriously taking place in Europe and abroad. The expected growth of the market is up to 20% year by year. The acceleration of the electrification will be probably possible from 2030 when Green Fuels and technologies will be available to replace fossil fuel engines in boats of all types and sizes.

Well-known boat builders mainly coming from Poland and Turkey displayed 170 boats and yacht in size from 8 to 30 meters.  Eco-innovations and advanced propulsion systems were present more than ever. Traditionally powered boats and yachts dominated the show, but the electric and hybrid boats and yachts are gaining visibility and attracted extensive interest.

As usual, the biggest and the most impressive displays were those from the luxury motor yachts and super yachts manufacturers as of Azimut-Benetti, Sunseeker, San Lorenzo, Ferretti, Princess or Fairline.  Galeon, Cranchi, Sirena and other motor yachts builders continuously working on new boat models take up more space at the festival every year.

Motor yachts and superyachts adopt new designs offering a maximal open view to sea, more space and as much as possible sustainable yachting. Alternative fuel propulsion systems are not in application yet but some efforts supporting less polluting navigation in marina are made. Tenders for superyachts are regularly equipped with an electric solution.

Motor yachts in size from to 20 to 24 meters are mainly equipped with diesel MAN or Volvo Penta inboard engines, superyachts require the MTU or Caterpillar powerful propulsion. Manufacturers of luxury sports cruisers from Europe and overseas countries have been present in a large number. Boats in size up to 20 meters are mainly equipped with Volvo Penta IPS or Mercury outboard engines. 

Sailing boats and yachts manufacturers like Beneteau, Hanse Yachts, Dufour, Bavaria Yachts, X-Yachts, Nautor Swan, Gunboat, Outremer, Solaris, CNB, Grand Soleil, Fountaine Pajot, and others are looking for innovations in design and material to gain in space and light and to get closer to eco responsible yachting.

French Fountaine Pajot is developing an electric/hybrid option for existing models (odsea LAB project). Sailing catamarans Lagoon and Bali, remain the bestselling yachts at the show. Charter companies’ purchase catamarans massively produced globally to satisfy a growing demand. Australian Seawind catamaran is entering European market with the new model fully manufactured in recently launched shipyard in Turkey. Sailing yachts and catamarans are powered by Yanmar sail drive engines.

Electric and hybrid boats and yacht manufacturers including Candela, Wider, Whisper, Silent Yachts, Greenline, Sunreef, Frauscher, Elan, Vaan, Windelo, HH Catamarans, X-Yachts, Axopar, Lumen Yachts, de Antonio Yachts, and others, created lots of interest at the festival. They are using safe and reliable propulsion systems built in partnership with the most advanced electric and hybrid propulsion systems and components manufacturers such as Evoy, Huracan, Torqeedo, OceanVolt, MG energy, BMW, Polestar, ePropulsion, e-Motion, Danfoss, etc. They are promoting slow, silent and eco-responsible boating.

Fossil fuel engine manufacturers such as of Rolls-Royce/MTU, MAN, Cummins, Yanmar International, Volvo Penta, FPT Industry, Moteurs Boudouin presented their improved engines and propulsion systems for yachts. They are working on upgrading the existing engines to respond to the latest emission standards requirements worldwide. New fuel technologies development is in progress, but it is not expected to be implemented in yachts before 2035.

Yanmar launched a new sail drive electric engine in collaboration with the battery manufacturer MG Energy. Three models SDe7, SDe10 and SDe15- give an output of up to 15 kW for 100% emission free sailing.  Mercury launched the electric outboard motor line Avator with power from 7.5 to 110 kW. Torqeedo presented the latest inboard electric motor Deep Blue 100i with a power of 100 kW (135 hp) and the new XP Travel outboard electric motor with the power of 5 hp for inland boating. The high-performant Deep Blue Battery 80 based on BMW technology is launched at the festival. BlueNav invented a retractable electric motor for cleaner navigation for new or existing boats having a diesel engine(s).

Among large motor yachts, luxury superyachts, motor and sailing catamarans, outboard boats, RIB’s and other types of boats equipped with one or more fossil fuel engines, the fully electric boats, motor and battery manufacturers drew plenty of attention from attendees.

The Power Systems Research team spoke with exhibitors about their latest creations, and current market trends. Here are some experiences and thoughts from the field.

The Swedish builder Candela is a pioneer in a hydrofoiling electric boat production. After many years of research and development, the first model C-7 was launched in 2019. The latest model C-8 designed in partnership with Polstar was launched in 2023. 25 units of the C-8 design have been delivered. This year’s plan is to double production. The leisure market shows a positive trend. Candela heavily invested in the creation of the ferry C-12 having a capacity of 31 persons as the commercial segment has shown great interest in CO2 free boating.  Six units of ferries are sold and are in production. They will be used for urban transportation on the lakes.

Whisper Yachts fully designs and manufactures solar powered electric boats in Italy. The first Whisper 50, the 15 meters in lengths boat was presented at the show. It is equipped with two Torqeedo engines of 100 kW and three BMW batteries totaling 240 kWh. The boat is designed for slow, silent and clean long-distance boating. The company is launching a new Whisper 40 model in 2025. The model Whisper 60 is also coming soon.

Lumen is the Dutch electric day boat brand launched in 2018. The first E32 model has been replaced by the spacious and stylish E10 model. They are built by JR yachts in the Netherlands. The propulsion system is based on the motor built in-house and using MG batteries. Six units have been delivered, primarily to boat clubs. The Lumen team is promoting slow, comfortable and responsible boating in the leisure market. Having a traditional elegant style but being modern and different in propulsion, the E10 attracted a lot of attention at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Evoy, the Norway manufacturer of electric inboard and outboard motors, batteries and chargers, started collaboration with the Finnish outboard boat manufacturer Axopar two years ago. The fast-growing brand manufactures about 3500 units of outboard boats per year and is now focusing on sustainable boating. The new AX/E line offers two models of electric boats AX/25 and AX/22 equipped by Evoy electric motors Storm 300+ and Outboard Brees 120+, respectively. The Evoy propulsion systems allow charging batteries from 10% to 80% in 45 minutes. Axopar sees double-digit growth of the electric market in the coming years.

Huracan Marine, the Italian manufacturer of inboard, sterndrive, sail drive and outboard electric motors and batteries, produces products primarily for builders of electric yachts and tenders, such as Silent Yachts. However, larger scale sales are expected to come from the commercial segment. The transition of Venetians traditional water traffic canal boats and privately owned boats to non-fossil engines powered boats should be implemented by 2028. This and other environmental projects directed by the state and municipality administration open new opportunities for business development.

MG Energy Systems presented the latest versions of its battery systems developed for boats and yachts of Ferretti Spa, Wajer Yachts, Azimut Benetti, Garcia Yachts, Elan, Dragonfly, Windelo, Vaan and others. PSR

Natasa Mulahalilovic is Product Manager for MarineLink, the proprietary marine product database at Power Systems Research