The keel has been laid, meaning construction has officially begun on the world’s first luxury ‘ice-breaking’ ship, which promises to take cruisers further into the polars than ever before.
Beyond the Arctic, Spitsbergen, The Weddell Sea and The Ross Sea is where Ponant says Le Commandant Charcot will carry cruisers when she officially launches in 2021.
Using hybrid electric power of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and battery power, the 270-passengers is described by its French owners as being a high-end vessel capable of visiting rarely seen areas while protecting the precious polar regions with ecological-friendly features.
In other words, Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s first luxury ice-breaking ship that’s also green.
While it’s too early for Ponant to reveal extensive details about the 150-metre long vessel’s interior, Ponant did stress that she’ll have all the “latest innovations”, particularly in environmental protection.
“Le Commandant Charcot will be the first exploration vessel to surpass the ecological standards set out in international regulations.
Ponant
“Designed for intense polar explorations, and with PC2 Polar Class certification, Le Commandant Charcot will be able to reach exceptional destinations.”
Construction of the polar vessel is on schedule, with her launch at sea planned for 2020 and her official delivery in 2021.
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