The Cannes Yachting Festival has announced the five winners of the 2026 Innovation Route Awards, selected from 47 projects presented as part of the Innovation Route across the Vieux Port and Port Canto.
The awards cover four categories, along with a Special Jury Award. The winning projects address areas including mooring, propulsion, engine manufacturing, boat design and marine biodiversity.
The jury comprised Guillaume Arnaud des Lyons, deputy managing director at Fédération des Industries Nautiques; Thierry Berest, marine expert at Boat & Sea Consulting; Rachel Goult, managing director at Yacht Carbon Offset; Jean-Christophe Guillaumin, journalist at Figaro Nautisme; Geoffroy Langlade, journalist and entrepreneur; and Elena Patriarca, director at Adzurra.
“The boating industry is undergoing profound change. As a member of the Innovation Route jury, I am proud to contribute to highlighting and recognising innovative projects and new solutions for a more sustainable boating industry,” says Guillaumin.
Winners of Cannes Innovation Route 2026
The Best Navigation-Enhancing Equipment award went to Smart Mooring by BlueNav. The system is controlled through the BlueNav app and allows the boat’s position to be monitored and adjusted from on board. Used with BlueNav motors and its Precision+ GPS system, it provides position-keeping for mooring manoeuvres.
Suzuki Edge Ecoat, developed by Suzuki Marine, received the Best Sustainable Product award. The anodising technology is applied to several outboard engine components to increase corrosion protection and service life. According to Suzuki, the process also reduces CO₂ emissions from drying and curing by 50 per cent.
The Best Innovative Boat award was presented to the Excess 11 from Excess Catamarans. The 37ft cruising catamaran has twin helm stations and is also offered in a hybrid version using a generator and two electric motors. The system allows silent manoeuvring and fully electric sailing.
D-Marin’s Biohuts Marine Biodiversity Restoration Initiative received the Best CSR Initiative award. Developed with Ecocean, the project involves installing Biohut artificial habitats in D-Marin ports. The structures provide refuges for juvenile fish and are intended to support local marine ecosystems.
The Special Jury Award went to the Azimut Yachts Grande 44M. The 43.6m yacht has a carbon-fibre superstructure and Carbon-Tech technology, which the company says can reduce weight by up to 30 per cent. Its four-deck layout includes an upper deck that can be converted into an open owner’s area.
‘The boldest and most relevant initiatives’
“The winning projects this year showcase the richness and diversity of the innovations driving the transformation of the boating industry,” says Constance Brément, Cannes Yachting Festival director.
“From propulsion and materials to equipment, navigation and CSR initiatives, each brings a concrete response to the evolving expectations of boaters and contributes to enhancing the experience at sea. With the Innovation Route Awards, the Cannes Yachting Festival aims to give particular visibility to the boldest and most relevant initiatives.
“These five winners demonstrate that performance, responsibility, the pleasure of being on the water and new experiences can go hand in hand. They invite the entire industry to explore new horizons.”
Juror Elena Patriarca adds: “It is an honour to be part of the Innovation Route jury for the 2026 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival. Throughout the selection process, I had the opportunity to discover how this year’s candidates are transforming today’s challenges into concrete solutions, balancing technological boldness with environmental viability to make boating more responsible, safer and more efficient.”
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