Behind the scenes: Engineering the Monaco Yacht Show

Behind the Breakwater: Engineering

The engineering effort required to transform a working harbour into the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) is a lot less visible than the glamorous face, but no less impressive. For 2025 site installation commenced on 30 August and dismantling will continue into early October. In that six-week window, the harbour is re-engineered into a secure, service-rich, and aesthetically seamless environment for over a hundred of the largest yachts afloat.

Foundations in Civil and Marine Engineering

The show relies fundamentally on Monaco’s most ambitious civil-marine project: the semi-floating breakwater. This 352-metre caisson, weighing approximately 160,000 tonnes, was towed into position and anchored off the Rock, where it reduces swell entering the harbour. Its hydrodynamic profile and articulated mooring ensure Port Hercule remains sufficiently calm to support floating pontoons, gangways, and the berthing of superyachts exceeding 100 metres LOA. Without this structure, neither the stability of temporary installations nor the safe delivery of high-amp electrical power would be feasible.

Utilities and Service Infrastructure

The afloat exhibition places extraordinary demands on harbour services. The port offers shore connections up to 600 A per vessel, backed by medium-voltage distribution systems feeding step-down transformers and event-grade switchgear. Cabling is routed along pontoons and quays with redundant protection and ballast to prevent trip hazards and water ingress. In parallel, black- and grey-water pump-out facilities are installed at multiple docking points, integrated with Monaco’s waste-treatment infrastructure to meet MARPOL compliance. Bunkering lines and mobile refuelling units provide duty-free fuel, coordinated by the Capitainerie, with flow-rate and safety standards suitable for large-volume bunkering operations in a compressed timeframe.

On the quayside, potable water supply manifolds, temporary drainage, and HVAC connections are extended into the exhibition tents. Event-specific data cabling and RF shielding are also introduced to accommodate broadcast requirements, secure communications, and exhibitor connectivity.

The Build-Out Process

From late August, Port Hercule is progressively reconfigured. Clear-span marquees, steel-ballasted pontoons, and modular gangways are installed across the quays, with fire-rated fabrics and branded wraps ensuring both compliance and presentation standards. Zones are configured for technical focus — refit and equipment on Quai Albert Ier, services and the Sustainability Hub on Darse Sud, tenders and toys on Quai Antoine Ier, with the Upper Deck Lounge reserved for VIP hospitality.

Floating infrastructure supports shuttle pontoons linking quays and facilitates the berthing of more than 120 yachts. Each vessel is integrated with power, water, and pump-out connections, requiring precise sequencing between marine contractors and electrical engineers.

Security and Access Control

From 00:00 on 24 September until 18:30 on 27 September 2025, the harbour is restricted to accredited traffic. Only tenders carrying official hull stickers and “Bay tender” passes are permitted to transfer passengers dockside. Access pontoons incorporate security barriers, ID verification systems, and CCTV coverage. Airspace is also tightly controlled. From 20–28 September, all UAV operations are prohibited with the exception of the official show operator. This measure is critical not only for privacy but also for safety, given the presence of cranes, rigging crews, and tall masts during final installation phases.

Sustainability and Material Standards

In recent years, the MYS has actively positioned itself as a platform for sustainable innovation. For 2025, the Blue Wake programme will showcase propulsion systems, hybrid-energy modules, and low-impact construction materials. This commitment extends to the infrastructure build itself: organisers mandate eco-responsible stand construction, encouraging modular aluminium framing, reusable cladding, and reduced-waste fit-outs.

From an engineering perspective, sustainability requirements influence material selection and waste streams. Fire-retardant fabrics are chosen for both safety and recyclability. Carpentry and panel systems are designed for disassembly and reuse. Large-format branding and signage are specified with biodegradable inks and recyclable substrates. Waste generated during build-up and tear-down is separated on site and processed under Monaco’s waste management regulations.

Project Timescales

The timescale for the 2025 build reflects the complexity of the operation:

• 30 August 2025: Commencement of installation.

• Early September: Utility connections established; exhibitor stands constructed.

• Mid-September: Vessel arrivals commence, coordinated with mooring teams and utility hook-ups.

• 24–27 September: Live show days with full security lockdown and access controls.

• 28 September onwards: Vessel departures, dismantling of tents and pontoons.

• Early October 2025: Full site reinstatement.

The critical path is dominated by vessel arrival sequencing and electrical distribution commissioning. A delay in either element cascades across the entire build. Hence, parallel planning between marine operations and electrical engineers is essential.

The glamour of the Monaco Yacht Show belies the engineering sophistication underpinning its execution. From the hydrodynamic stability of the semi-floating breakwater to the delivery of 600-amp shore power and the precision berthing of yachts worth hundreds of millions, the event is as much a triumph of logistics and infrastructure as it is of design and luxury. For 2025, the combination of robust marine engineering, advanced temporary infrastructure, and increasingly stringent sustainability standards ensures that Port Hercule will once again serve not merely as a marina, but as a meticulously engineered theatre for the global superyacht industry.