EuropeLNG as Fuel

Ponant’s LNG-powered polar exploration vessel in first cool-down op

By LNG Prime Staff
Ponant’s LNG-powered polar exploration vessel in first cool-down op
Image: Gasum

Ponant’s LNG-powered, hybrid-electric polar cruise and exploration vessel has completed its first cool-down operation as it prepares for gas trials.

Norway’s Vard, a unit of Italy’s Fincantieri, is completing the luxury vessel at its yard in Søviknes. Ponant recently revealed the vessel had started its sea trials.

Finland’s Gasum said on Wednesday it supported the gassing-up and cool-down for the Ponant vessel named Le Commandant Charcot.

According to Gasum, the vessel is undergoing final outfitting and will soon be ready for delivery.

“During the operation at the Vard Søviknes yard, the very first gas was let into
the vessel to gas-up and cool-down the systems to prepare her for final testing before upcoming sea trials,” Gasum said.

Ponant’s LNG-powered polar exploration vessel in first cool-down op
Image: Ponant/Emerick Le Mouel

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 will have Icebreaker 3 and POLAR CAT-A service notations, and features POLAR CLASS 2.

The vessel has 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.

Most Popular

LNG Terminals

PetroChina delivers first LNG cargo to Gate under long-term capacity deal

PetroChina International, a unit of state-owned PetroChina, has delivered its first LNG cargo to the Dutch Gate LNG import terminal in Rotterdam, owned by Gasunie and Vopak, under a long-term capacity deal.
LNG Terminals

LNG Alliance plans new LNG export project in Mexico

LNG Alliance, developer of the Amigo LNG project in Mexico, plans to build a second project in Mexico called Bravo LNG.
Contracts and Tenders

Power LNG takes step forward with Pelican Island facility

The Port of Galveston has approved a lease and development agreement with Texas-based Power LNG for the latter's planned small-scale, modular liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, storage, and bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

More News Like This

LNG Vehicles

Gasum launches new Norwegian bio-LNG station

Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum has opened its thirteenth liquefied biogas, or bio-LNG, filling station in Norway, centrally located in the port of Trondheim.
LNG Terminals

Gasum’s Borlange bio-LNG plant enters commissioning phase

Gasum’s new bio-LNG production plant in Borlange, Sweden, has entered the commissioning phase, according to Lundsby Renewable Solutions.
LNG as Fuel

Gasum to supply LNG to Norwegian ferries

Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum has signed a long-term deal with Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the latter's ferries.
LNG Terminals

Gasum, Naftogaz book long-term capacity at Klaipeda FSRU

Finland's Gasum, Ukraine's Naftogaz, Lithuania’s Ignitis, Latvia’s Latvenergo, and Norway’s Equinor have booked long-term regasification capacities at the KN Energies-operated FSRU-based LNG import facility in Klaipeda, Lithuania.