HydroContest

“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

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.

HydroContest competition, as an incubator of ideas, brings together future engineers and architects from the international community around a common issue: «Transport better, faster, consuming less energy».

HydroContest offers a unique opportunity to hold a maritime innovation hackathon. It stimulates creativity through challenges and an inspiring competition. In addition, it integrates academic and research dimension by bringing together students, their teachers and partner companies.

The 2025 edition of HydroContest is not only limited to the design, building and piloting of a model ship conforming to a set of technical specifications, it also incorporates, and for the first time a whole new thinking challenge around the refit of an “old ship”. Students are invited to propose solutions to improve the efficiency of polluting ships, focusing on aspects such as the hull, engine, or the addition of appendages, while emphasising the environmental dimension. The project should make sense in the context of the United Nations Conference on the Oceans (Nice, 2025).

“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

HydroContest embodies the commitment of future international engineers and decision-makers for the environment and to highlighting maritime professions. This innovative initiative combines technology, innovation and environmental awareness to shape the future of shipping.

ENSM is in charge of listing the organisations potentially interested in the project. Around forty French and foreign engineering schools and maritime academies have already been identified and will be approached from mid-May 2024 with a view to submitting applications in autumn 2024.

“Taking part in the first edition of HydroContest in 2014 and winning the innovation prize with my team was a founding experience, which marked a turning point in my career and undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Plastic Odyssey adventure. It was much more than a technical challenge: it was a window onto entrepreneurship, teamwork and all the complexities of naval engineering and architecture. This experience has convinced me that the best way to learn is to be at the heart of the action, looking for solutions yourself.

HydroContest has also enabled ENSM to boost its international profile and build strong links with universities around the world. This adventure has been a real springboard for me, giving me the desire to undertake and innovate to protect 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, Co-founder of Plastic Odyssey organisation
Sponsor of the 2025 edition