Norway-based Vard, a unit of Italy’s Fincantieri, has delivered Ponant’s LNG-powered, hybrid-electric polar cruise and exploration vessel.
French luxury cruise operator Ponant said it took delivery of the vessel named Le Commandant Charcot on July 29.
To remind, Vard has completed the luxury vessel at its yard in Søviknes, Norway. The ship designed for intense polar explorations previously arrived from Vard Tulcea in Romania.
Featuring a 270-passenger capacity, Ponant claims this is the world’s first LNG-powered, hybrid-electric passenger vessel to navigate in polar waters.
In addition, the BV-classed ship has Icebreaker 3 and POLAR CAT-A service notations, and features POLAR CLASS 2.
The vessel has Wartsila’s dual-fuel engines but also two GTT’s Mark III membrane technology tanks for a total capacity of 4500 cbm, enabling it to complete its entire voyage on LNG.
