Forty companies showcasing products and innovations, both on land and on the water.
Right from the entrance to the show, visitors will discover a dedicated area featuring 40 companies and committed start-ups. Divided into two sections, the area will showcase products both on land and on the water. A major benefit of the boats displayed afloat is that some will be available for sea trials. Electric and hybrid-powered boats; the refit of cruising and racing boats into dayboats; electric propellers and engines; environmentally friendly antifouling solutions; boat refurbishment yards; options for converting conventional combustion-powered boats into electric or hybrid craft; pleasure-boat dismantling; committed associations: a wide range of solutions will be on display throughout the six days of the show.
A rapidly growing refit hub at Grand Pavois La Rochelle
The refit of pleasure boats is expanding rapidly, and Grand Pavois La Rochelle will be a prime example of this trend, both on land and on the water. This significant movement lies at the intersection of several major factors: the cost of new boats, the search for greater sustainability, technological advances, changing expectations among boaters, and a growing commitment to environmental responsibility. Pleasure boats have a long lifespan. In Europe, their average service life is estimated at around 30 to 40 years, with some lasting far longer. This has created a vast market for pre-owned boats, as well as a dynamic second-hand sector. Many boats are not ready to be scrapped but do require upgrading. Several refitted boats, restored by marine professionals, will be displayed afloat. They will also be presented ashore, at the heart of the Eco-Navigation & Sustainable Innovations Area with EDF. This is no coincidence: Reboat, Flotte SAS, Yuniboat and the Passe-Coque association will all be taking part.
Start-ups in the spotlight: “Sustainable Innovations with EDF”
EDF (Électricité de France) is a French energy company that produces and supplies electricity. It is one of the largest electricity producers in the world. Launched in 2019, this partnership with EDF aims to showcase the new solutions that are already shaping — or will shape tomorrow — the boating industry. As a player in the energy transition, EDF promotes and supports eco-design, helping companies evolve their business models through new features and a rethink of how products are used.
The 7th Nouvelle-Aquitaine Nautical Innovation Award
The winners of the 7th Nouvelle-Aquitaine Nautical Innovation Awards will be announced on Thursday 24 September. These awards recognize projects that bring innovation to a product, service or concept directly or indirectly connected with boating. They must make a significant contribution either to reducing carbon footprint, environmental impact and/or energy consumption; to improving performance, comfort or safety; or to making boating more accessible. Following Antoine Albeau in 2025, Laurent Ballesta will chair the jury. A French photographer, diver and naturalist, Laurent Ballesta received the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award from London’s Natural History Museum in 2017, 2020 and 2021. As a privileged witness to the health of our oceans, he is deeply committed to protecting marine ecosystems. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 24 September at 6:00 pm, on the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region stand A29. Laurent Ballesta will also host a talk at the Salle de l’Oratoire in La Rochelle, from 7:30 pm on Thursday 24 September.
The 6th « Sustainable Maritime» round table
As part of the Maritime Innovation Days organized by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Regional Planning, Transport, Cities and Housing, EDF will host two round tables on Friday 25 September. Attendance is by registration and invitation only. Following an introduction from the French Nautical Industries Federation on its long-term vision for the boating sector, the first panel discussion will focus on “Electric and Solar Propulsion”. Participants will include Bénéteau, Fountaine-Pajot / E-Lektra Marine, AFBE, Millikan Boats, Seazen and CLYD / Hy Naval. The second panel discussion will focus on “New Sustainable Uses in Recreational Boating”, with representatives from the Charente-Maritime Department, Yuniboat, Sea Loop Marine, Coopération Maritime, and others, together with Yves Parlier, President of Beyond the Sea.
“The maritime sector accounts for 3% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, as much as the aviation sector. Decarbonizing it has become both a climate necessity and an imperative for our sovereignty. The large-scale deployment of low-carbon electric solutions is a practical opportunity to replace fossil fuels that generate high CO2 emissions. With its low-carbon electricity production and its purpose of building a CO2-neutral energy future, the EDF Group has worked for many years alongside stakeholders in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and its maritime ecosystem — ports, industrial companies, manufacturers and users — to help speed up their eco-energy transition. EDF also supports the Sud Ouest Innovation Awards. Their seventh edition, launched during the Arcachon Boat Show, rewards the women and men who are building tomorrow’s boating industry locally. The initiative will conclude at Grand Pavois La Rochelle and demonstrates the wealth of local solutions available to support the sector. I invite you once again this year to discover, in the ‘EDF Eco-Navigation & Sustainable Innovations’ area, the solutions already helping to build a sustainable maritime, river and port future” underlined Franck Darthou, EDF Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Action Director.
