EuropeLNG as Fuel

Ponant’s LNG-powered polar exploration vessel nearing completion

By LNG Prime Staff
Ponant's LNG-powered polar cruise vessel nearing completion
Image: Ponant/Emerick Le Mouel

Ponant’s first LNG-powered, hybrid-electric polar cruise and exploration vessel has set out for trials offshore Norway.

The 140 meters long icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot started its trials on April 16, according to the French cruise firm.

Norway’s Vard, a unit of Italy’s Fincantieri, is completing the luxury vessel at its yard in Søviknes. 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.

Moreover, the BV-classed ship will have Icebreaker 3 and POLAR CAT-A service notations, and feature 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

Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG to commission third jetty

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to introduce hazardous fluids to the third jetty at its Plaquemines LNG export plant in Louisiana.
Research and Development

Samsung Heavy, KR to develop three-tank LNG carrier

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries signed a memorandum of understanding with compatriot classification society KR to jointly develop a 174,000-cbm LNG carrier featuring three cargo tanks.
LNG Terminals

Another FSRU arrives in Egypt

The 160,000-cbm FSRU Energos Eskimo has arrived in Egypt from Jordan, according to shipping data. The unit is one of four FSRUs that will serve a charter deal with Egypt's EGAS as the country seeks to meet its growing demand for natural gas.

More News Like This

Research and Development

GTT, HD Hyundai Heavy to advance LNG carrier design

French LNG containment firm GTT signed two joint development projects with South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, aimed at advancing the design of LNG carriers.
Other Fuels

GTT develops new ethane containment tech

French LNG containment giant GTT has received approvals from classification society BV for its new cargo containment systems developed for ethane transport.
Vessels

Hudong-Zhonghua gets approvals for new three-tank LNG carrier

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has received approvals from classification societies for a new three-tank LNG carrier design.
Vessels

Yangzijiang nears completion of its first LNG carrier

Chinese private shipyard Yangzijiang Shipbuilding is nearing the completion of its first 175,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. The shipbuilder aims to resell this and its sister LNG carrier.

2025. © All rights reserved. LNG Prime LLC. 447 Broadway, New York, NY 10013, USA