Yacht Club de Monaco Honors Ocean Sustainability Innovators at Explorer Awards
Event summary
- The Yacht Club de Monaco held its 6th Explorer Awards on March 26, 2026, concluding four days of discussions on exploration, science, and technological innovation.
- HSH Prince Albert II emphasized the event's mission to encourage discovery and knowledge, quoting marine biologist Sylvia Earle on ocean protection.
- R/V Plastic Odyssey, a maritime expedition fighting plastic pollution, won in the Science & Discovery category.
- The MODX 70 project, a zero-emission catamaran, won the Technology & Innovation category.
The big picture
The Yacht Club de Monaco is positioning itself as a global hub for environmental initiatives and maritime innovation. By recognizing projects that combine exploration, scientific research, and technological advancement, the club is reinforcing Monaco's role in shaping a more sustainable future for the yachting sector. The event highlights the growing trend of sustainability in luxury industries and the increasing importance of technological innovation in addressing environmental challenges.
What we're watching
- Sustainability Leadership
- How the Yacht Club de Monaco's focus on sustainability will influence the broader yachting industry's adoption of eco-friendly technologies.
- Innovation Adoption
- The pace at which zero-emission yacht designs like the MODX 70 will be commercialized and accepted by the market.
- Environmental Impact
- Whether initiatives like R/V Plastic Odyssey can scale their solutions to significantly reduce global plastic pollution.