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Day: 30 April 2026

YCM unveils world-first floating solar canopy on main dock

by: Virginia D’Umas
30/04/2026

The Yacht Club de Monaco has installed a pioneering solar canopy on its reception dock, marking a world-first in the integration of solar production onto existing floating marina infrastructure.

Stretching 12 metres in length and rising nearly five metres high, the custom-built structure by One Concept Marine integrates around 26 m² of photovoltaic panels supplied by Voltec Solar, the last remaining French manufacturer in the sector. With a 6 kWp installed capacity, it is expected to generate approximately 9,200 kWh of clean energy annually—enough to power around 12 medium-sized boats* or support roughly 100 full charging cycles for electric vessels.

“This project demonstrates our ability to design and deploy innovative solutions rapidly, even in complex environments,” said Thomas Aboulinc, Founder of One Concept Marine, in a statement. “Integrating solar production onto an existing floating structure represents a significant technical step forward, opening new perspectives for marinas.”

A dock transformed into an energy-producing asset

Beyond its energy output, the installation represents a fundamental shift in how marina infrastructure is conceived. The dock is no longer a passive mooring platform, but an active energy hub capable of producing and distributing electricity directly at the point of use.

The energy generated feeds high-capacity charging stations installed on the dock, including dedicated systems for electric boats, reinforcing the Yacht Club’s commitment to sustainable maritime operations.

From innovation forum to real-world deployment

This project stems directly from the Yacht Club de Monaco’s wider innovation ecosystem, including initiatives such as the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, which promotes practical solutions for the future of marinas.

One Concept Marine participated in recent editions of the forum, where initial exchanges with YCM teams led to the development of the project. What began as a conceptual discussion quickly evolved into a fully operational installation within just a few months—highlighting the Yacht Club’s ability to turn ideas into concrete infrastructure.

Installed on 7th April, the system is currently awaiting grid connection, with an official launch expected in the coming weeks in the presence of both partners.

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Photo source: Press Yacht Club de Monaco, One Concept Marine

 

Photos: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène unveil upgraded Monaco animal shelter

by: Virginia D’Umas
30/04/2026

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene officially inaugurated the newly enhanced facilities of the S.P.A. et Abri de Monaco on Wednesday 29th April, marking a significant step forward in animal welfare in the Principality.

Located in Peille, the shelter has undergone a series of improvements initiated by Princess Charlene, who has presided over the organisation since September 2022. Supported by the Princely Government, the National Council and private donors, the project aims to provide significantly better living conditions for dogs and cats awaiting adoption.

Among the key upgrades are redesigned kennels with improved sunlight exposure thanks to retractable coverings, raised enclosure walls for greater comfort, and newly landscaped interior spaces. Three outdoor exercise parks have also been created, allowing animals to move freely, while a dedicated “cat lounge” has been introduced to encourage feline socialisation.

Photo Credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

Beyond infrastructure, the initiative reflects a broader ambition to transform the shelter into a more welcoming, community-oriented space. Open to visitors every afternoon, the facility works closely with local organisations, hosting seniors in partnership with the Mairie de Monaco, members of AMAPEI, and young people through collaborations with the Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports and the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.

Monaco animal shelter tribute: Princess Antoinette honoured at S.P.A. inauguration

Founded on 6th August 1976, the S.P.A. de Monaco has spent nearly five decades advocating for animal protection. During the inauguration, the Princely couple paid tribute to its founder, Antoinette of Monaco, sister of Prince Rainier III, with the unveiling of a commemorative bust.

“During the renovation works of this reception space, my thoughts naturally turned to an eminent figure of our family, the founder of this association, Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy, known to all for her deep attachment and her exemplary dedication to the animal cause,” said Princess Charlene during her inauguration speech. “Today, I wish to revive her memory and pay tribute to her.”

Under her presidency, the S.P.A. et Abri de Monaco continues to raise awareness, promote adoption and provide care for mistreated animals—offering them a second chance in a safe and nurturing environment.

See more in the gallery below. Photos Credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier

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Monaco hosts international ocean summit with warships, drones and a sky full of intrigue

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/04/2026

Monaco became an unlikely theatre of maritime spectacle from 20th to 23rd April as it hosted the fourth General Assembly of the International Hydrographic Organisation, drawing more than 500 delegates from 104 member states to the Rainier III Auditorium — and, rather more unexpectedly, setting the Riviera sky alight on the opening evening.

The assembly’s visual centrepiece was Port Hercule itself, where three highly specialised vessels were moored for the occasion: the Caio Duilio, a 152.9-metre Italian destroyer typically deployed on NATO operations; the USNS Marie Tharp, a 110-metre American oceanographic research vessel; and Spain’s Tofiño, dedicated to hydrographic surveying and seabed mapping. Completing the display was the DriX O-16, a 16-metre autonomous surface vehicle capable of operating for up to 30 days across 3,500 nautical miles, which conducted live demonstrations in the harbour.

On the opening evening, a wingsuit display involving five flyers dropped from a helicopter — three equipped with stage pyrotechnic jets — sent bright sparks across the twilight sky above Monaco, prompting a wave of social media speculation from residents across the Principality and the wider Riviera who were convinced they had witnessed a meteor. It was a fittingly dramatic introduction to a gathering that rarely makes headlines.

Prince Albert II addresses the international summit. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department

A serious mission

Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Monaco on Quai Antoine Ier, the IHO is responsible for ensuring that the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted to consistent international standards — work that underpins maritime safety, environmental protection and global trade.

Prince Albert II opened the assembly on Monday morning, warning that the spirit of international cooperation on which the organisation depends was being tested. “Your mission engages not only the quality of our scientific knowledge, but also our collective capacity to act with lucidity, responsibility and determination,” he told delegates.

During the ceremony, the Prince presented the Albert I Medal for Hydrography to Dr Parry Oei of Singapore and welcomed six new member states — the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Kiribati, Lithuania and Panama — each invited to present their flag on stage.

A centrepiece of the exhibition was the Bathysphère, an interactive globe presenting data from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans, a programme initiated by Prince Albert I in 1903, offering a striking reminder of how much of the ocean floor remains unmapped and how much depends on the cooperation the assembly was convened to strengthen.

Thematic sessions covered smart navigation, GPS data reliability, ocean floor mapping, women’s representation in hydrographic science and the governance questions surrounding the collection and ownership of ocean data. The assembly closed with the election of Italy’s Luigi Sinapi as the IHO’s new Secretary General, succeeding Mathias Jonas, and New Zealand’s Adam Greenland as Director.

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