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: The Marseille nautical base
- 1 race village
- 10 nationalities
- 5 teams
- 1 Hackathon – Retrofit of a real vessel
- 1 professional exhibition
- 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 CONTEST
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, with lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.”
A HACKATHON
HydroContest By ENSM offers a unique opportunity to participate in a maritime innovation hackathon. It fosters creativity through challenges and an inspiring competition. Moreover, it incorporates an academic and research dimension by bringing together students, their professors, and industry partners.
The 2025 edition of HydroContest By ENSM goes beyond the design, construction, and piloting of a scaled-down ship model that meets a set of technical specifications. For the first time, it also introduces a brand-new challenge focused on the transformation of an “old vessel.” Students are invited to propose solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of these polluting ships by working on aspects such as the hull, propulsion, or the addition of appendages, while emphasizing environmental considerations.
This project is designed to align with the United Nations Ocean Conference (Nice, 2025).
A PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITION
HydroContest By ENSM also features Hydro Blue Tech, a professional exhibition dedicated to advancements in maritime transport in response to today’s challenges.
The program includes demonstrations, interactive exhibitions, partner booths, and expert-led conferences. A dedicated coworking and networking space will also be available to foster exchanges between various stakeholders in the maritime sector, including professionals, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students.
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
A committed project
French and international teams
5 teams are now officially registered for the Prototype Contest, and a hundred schools have been contacted to take part in the Hackathon!
Join the adventure!
They support us !
“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.”
Simon BERNARD
“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.”
Morgane SUQUART
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
Director of the Foundation
François LAMBERT
francois.lambert@supmaritime.fr
Chairman of the Foundation Management Board
Colomban Monnier
colomban.monnier@supmaritime.fr
HydroContest Communications Officer
Marie Anaïs GATTO
marie.gatto@supmaritime.fr