HydroContest by ENSM: The Must-Attend Event for Eco-Responsible Maritime Innovation
HydroContest by ENSM is a flagship event dedicated to sustainable maritime innovation, bringing together all stakeholders in maritime transport: professionals, industry leaders, startups, students, and the general public.
Together, we aim to tackle the challenges of a sustainable maritime future.
📅 Dates: April 28-30, 2022026
📍 Location: Marseille Nautical Stadium – Florence ARTAUD
The ENSM Foundation wanted to relaunch the HydroContest project, a flagship event of the Hydros Foundation from 2014 to 2019, which was interrupted with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. A symbol of maritime innovation, this event has left a lasting impression on teachers, students, and more broadly, everyone who has been involved, directly or indirectly, in the success of this project.
- 1 exceptional location: Florence Arthaud, Marseille nautical stadium
- 1 race village
- 10 nationalities
- HYDROCONTEST DESIGN teams
- HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE teams
- Presentation of maritime professions
- Exhibitions & activities
- Open to the general public
Point of view
“HydroContest is a great adventure that I recommend to all. Such a competition allows you to think about many aspects of a ship. There is something for everyone, those who want to innovate, make 3D drawing, make calculations, do economics, weld, stratify, will be satisfied. You will find your place and you can develop your skills.
Personally, this adventure allowed me to discover materials that are rarely worked at ENSM but that are nevertheless present in the maritime field, to develop my design capabilities and fluid-structure interaction.
The team spirit around this project creates unfailing links that will follow you throughout your life.”
Vivien LUTHY, ENSM participant to 2016 edition
The stakes of maritime transport
Shipping is a major environmental challenge. Although it emits less CO2 per tonne transported than other transport modes, it is responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to its magnitude.
Indeed, the volume of goods transported by sea has quadrupled since the 1970s to reach 13 billion tonnes in 2023.
In this perspective, the maritime sector must prepare for the future by focusing on the energy transition, an urgent need for industry.
A major lever for decarbonisation and maritime innovation
A committed project
For its first edition, HydroContest by ENSM highlights 4 key sectors in the evolution of maritime transport for a decarbonized future.
- The design and conception of eco-friendly ships of the future: HYDROCONTEST DESIGN
- The study of an operational transport vessel to improve its energy efficiency: HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE
- The presentation of technological innovations under development to reduce the environmental impact of ships: HYDROCONTEST TECH DAYS
- Presentation of maritime careers: HYDROCONTEST HEADING FOR “MARITIME PATHWAYS”
HYDROCONTEST DESIGN
The HydroContest By ENSM competition, an incubator of ideas, brings together future engineers and architects from the international community around a common challenge: “Transport better, faster, while consuming less energy and reducing environmental impact.”
Point of view
“Participating in the HydroContest project is an extremely dense experience in terms of technical and human exchanges. It changes the teacher-student work relationship towards a particularly effective and mutually productive “constructive exchange” that extends to outside of academy partners (technical and financial partners). Each new edition allows to (re)discover and introduce various technical solutions and increase the number of our partners. It is an experience as diverse as it is rich in lessons.”
Frédéric SPELLIERS, EEA Teacher – Initiator of the project for ENSM Marseille in June 2013 and project leader until June 2016
French and international teams
4 teams are now officially registered for HYDROCONTEST DESIGN, and a hundred schools have been contacted to take part in the HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE !
HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE
HydroContest By ENSM offers a unique opportunity to participate in a maritime innovation challenge. It fosters creativity through challenges and an inspiring competition. Additionally, it incorporates an academic and research dimension by bringing together students, their teachers, and industry partners.
The 2026 edition of HydroContest By ENSM introduces, for the first time, a brand-new challenge focused on rethinking the transformation of an “old ship.” Students are invited to propose solutions to improve the efficiency of these polluting vessels by focusing on aspects such as the hull, propulsion system, or the addition of appendages, while emphasizing environmental considerations. The project should align with the context of the United Nations Ocean Conference (Nice, 2025).
HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE : A challenge Setting Sail for Sustainable Maritime Transport!
HydroContest By ENSM 2026 is breaking new ground by launching a challenge dedicated to the decarbonization of maritime transport. This unique event will bring together students and industry professionals to tackle a strategic challenge: imagining disruptive solutions for a more sustainable and efficient maritime transport sector, with a focus on retrofitting an existing vessel.
A project for Ecological Transition
The participants will work alone or in teams to develop concrete projects, ranging from optimizing vessel energy efficiency to integrating artificial intelligence for smarter navigation. Guided by academic mentors and the HydroContest By ENSM team, they will receive technical and methodological support to turn their ideas into real-world solutions.
A Challenge with Real-World Impact
This challenge is part of the HydroContest By ENSM initiative, an internationally recognized event driving sustainable maritime innovation. At the end of the competition:
🏆 The top three projects will be awarded.
🔟 The 10 best projects will gain visibility among key industry players.
🥇 The winning team will receive a special prize and may even take part in deploying their solution on the designated vessel.
Why Participate?
✔ Full immersion in maritime innovation.
✔ A unique opportunity to collaborate with experts and leading companies.
✔ A spotlight on the most promising talents and ideas.
“HydroContest By ENSM 2026 continues to push the boundaries of innovation and unite a committed community for the future of maritime transport.”
📅 Key Dates:
2025
- Starting in September >> Contact between the Organizer and the teams, and sending of a registration form.
- Upon receipt of the registration form duly signed by the institution’s administration, the Organizer will send the registered teams the HC RETROFIT CHALLENGE 2026 Rules, along with the confidentiality agreement related to the company that is the subject of the case study. This agreement must be completed and signed by the institution’s administration and by each member of the team.
- Once the signed registration form and confidentiality agreement have been received, the Organizer will send the data set and the RETROFIT CHALLENGE 2026 case study.
2026
- December 15: Deadline for receipt of registration forms by the Organizer.
- March 2: Deadline for submission of project files.
- March 6: Deadline for revision of project files for teams whose submissions are not compliant.
- March 9 to March 30: Review and pre-ranking of projects by the jury, and selection of the top 10 teams eligible to attend the event.
- March 30 to April 3: Publication of the ranking on the website and notification to the 10 finalist teams: supmaritime.fr/hydrocontest/
- April 30: PITCH presentations by the 10 finalist teams before the jury.
- April 30: Awards ceremony (top 3 teams on the podium).
Join the HYDROCONTEST RETROFIT CHALLENGE Adventure!
A PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITION
HYDROCONTEST TECH DAYS: The Maritime Innovation & Sustainability Expo
As part of HydroContest By ENSM 2026, the HYDROCONTEST TECH DAYS expo will be held on april 29-30 th,2026. This professional event is dedicated to technological and environmental innovations in the maritime sector, bringing together companies, startups, researchers, and institutional stakeholders committed to a more sustainable maritime transport industry.
A Must-Attend Event for Maritime Professionals
HYDROCONTEST TECH DAYS serves as a hub for exchange and opportunity, showcasing the latest advancements in decarbonization, eco-friendly ship design, artificial intelligence for maritime applications, and environmental regulations.
What’s on the Agenda?
✅ Exhibition Area – Companies and startups will present their latest innovations and technological solutions, open to the public.
✅ Thematic Roundtables – Discussions with industry experts and professionals on key topics.
✅ Networking Opportunities – Connecting industry leaders, researchers, and students to foster collaboration and innovation.
An Event Driven by Innovation & Action
HYDROCONTEST TECH DAYS is fully aligned with the spirit of HydroContest By ENSM, an international competition that has long fostered research and innovation, now focused on shaping a cleaner and more efficient maritime future.
📅 Join us on April 29-30 th, 2026, and be part of the future of maritime transport!
Files -HydroContest By ENSM Design
They support us !
Simon BERNARD
“Participating in the first edition of HydroContest in 2014 and winning the Innovation Award with my team was a foundational experience, marking a turning point in my journey and undoubtedly contributing to the success of the Plastic Odyssey adventure. Far more than a technical challenge: it is a window into entrepreneurship, teamwork, and the complexity of naval engineering and architecture. This experience convinced me that the best way to learn is to be at the heart of the action, finding solutions on your own.
HydroContest also helped ENSM gain international visibility and build strong connections between universities worldwide. This adventure was truly a springboard for me, sparking my desire to innovate and create solutions to preserve our oceans. I am deeply grateful for this experience and fully support the new edition of HydroContest, convinced that it will continue to inspire and encourage new vocations.”
Morgane SUQUART
“To the public, this event will represent much more than a series of competitions. It will reflect our collective commitment to innovation, ecological transition, and solidarity. It will offer an immersive, educational, and inspiring experience where every participant can feel like an active player in this ambitious adventure. It will be a significant moment, symbolizing unity between generations and skill sets, and the growing importance of eco-responsibility in the maritime sector.
Being the godmother of the first edition of HydroContest By ENSM, after having studied at Hydro myself, is both a personal and professional recognition. Contributing to a project that embodies creativity, research, and technical prowess, while promoting values for a future respectful of our planet, fills me with pride. It is an honor to be the ambassador of values dear to me and to support younger generations in their journey toward excellence.”
Operation supported by the State as part of the Maritime Intervention Fund (FIM) operated by the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA).
HydroContest Project Manager
Caroline PONS
+33 6 72 82 27 61
caroline.pons@supmaritime.fr
HydroContest Communications Officer
Marie Anaïs GATTO
marie.gatto@supmaritime.fr
Director of the Foundation
François LAMBERT
francois.lambert@supmaritime.fr