For its next ship, 14th in the fleet, the company’s goal is to have no impact on the environment when sailing
“For several months we have been working on a new whole lifecycle concept ship to reduce its ecological footprint. We’re assessing all the potential impacts: discharges into the atmosphere and water, microplastics, noise levels, and social and human impacts. As with Le Commandant Charcot, it will also be available to scientists. A new-generation ship needs to be designed and we intend to deliver it,” said Ponant newbuilding and R&D director Mathieu Petiteau.
The new ship’s technical and commercial criteria have been established in consultation with all relevant departments. The aim is to deliver a ship that can combine several non-fossil fuel energy sources, including wind propulsion, by integrating technological bricks. The scope of work should be ready by the end of 2022, with the preliminary plans then produced and technical specifications drawn up for a call for tenders. The goal is to have the ship up and running by 2025.
This 14th ship project is in line with Ponant’s six environmental commitments, one being to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
“After the launch of Le Commandant Charcot, the company continues striving to minimise its ships’ carbon footprint. The R&D team’s mission is to identify and assess options most likely to accelerate the ecological and energy transition across the whole fleet,” said Ponant.
“In terms of energy efficiency and optimisation, structural modifications to ships and protecting ecosystems, there are many avenues to explore and progress. New-generation biofuels are being assessed, like green hydrogen, as well as the possibilities for wind and water propulsion,” Ponant added.
Ponant said it is working with other industries and contributing to various European research projects to develop and test these technologies.
