Eco-navigation area grows again at Grand Pavois La Rochelle

Grand Pavois La Rochelle says visitors will find a dedicated Eco-Navigation & Sustainable Innovations Area with EDF near the entrance, bringing together 40 companies and start-ups. The area is divided into two sections, with products shown on land and water, and some boats on display will be available for sea trials. Exhibits include electric and hybrid-powered boats, electric propellers and motors, eco-friendly antifouling, boat refurbishment, conversions to electric or hybrid propulsion, and pleasure-boat dismantling. PBR will also be there to report on this popular event in the international marine calendar.

The refit of pleasure boats is expanding quickly, and the show says this year’s event will reflect that both on land and on the water, driven by the cost of new boats, demand for sustainability, technological advances and environmental responsibility. Pleasure boats have a long service life, estimated in Europe at 30 to 40 years and sometimes longer, which the show says has created a large market for pre-owned boats needing upgrading rather than scrapping. Several refitted boats restored by marine professionals will be shown afloat and ashore, with Reboat, Flotte SAS, Yuniboat and the Passe-Coque association among those taking part.

A dedicated hub within the wider area, launched in 2019 with EDF (Électricité de France), showcases start-ups working on solutions for the boating industry. Exhibitors include Beyond the Sea, showing wind propulsion solutions such as traction wings for ships; Weenav, presenting electric outboard motors and retrofit conversions to hybrid or electric propulsion; and Eco Nautik, offering low-carbon alternatives for engines and generators using biogas, CNG, LNG, hydrogen and other e-fuels. La Coopération Maritime presents a model and film on electric solutions for shellfish farming, and the French Association for Electric Boats will also be present. Sealoop is showing a solar-powered electric catamaran for 20 passengers designed for sea tourism, due to launch in 2027, while builder Gilles Reigner presents the GR63, a fully electric 63-foot offshore catamaran powered by solar and wind energy and methanol/water fuel cells, which he says was tested successfully at sea in 2026.

The winners of the seventh Nouvelle-Aquitaine Nautical Innovation Awards, also known as the Sud Ouest Innovation Awards and launched during the Arcachon Boat Show, will be announced on Thursday 24 September. The awards recognise projects that cut carbon footprint, energy consumption or environmental impact, improve performance, comfort or safety, or make boating more accessible. This year’s jury is chaired by French photographer, diver and naturalist Laurent Ballesta, three-times winner of London’s Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, succeeding Antoine Albeau, who chaired in 2025. The ceremony takes place at 6pm on Thursday 24 September on the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region stand, followed by a talk from Ballesta at the Salle de l’Oratoire in La Rochelle from 7:30pm.

EDF will also host the 6th “Sustainable Maritime” round table on Friday 25 September, from 10:15am to 1pm, as part of the Maritime Innovation Days, by registration and invitation only. The first panel focuses on electric and solar propulsion, the second on new sustainable uses in recreational boating.