COMPAGNIE DU PONANT ORDERS NEW LUXURY MEGA-YACHT
Compagnie du Ponant orders new luxury mega-yacht - Luxury Travel Magazine
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| By Antonia Maiolo |
| Date: 23 September 2011 |
| The world’s only French five-star cruise specialist Compagnie du Ponant has ordered another “latest generation” yacht, the third ship order in four years. This ship that is yet to be named, is expected to join sister ships Le Boreal and L’Austral by June 2013. With an investment of €100 million (about A$138 million) the ship is set to be 142 metres in length, that will comprise 132 staterooms and suites with balconies, six decks and one sun deck and 140 crew members to service the 264 passengers on board. The ship will join the fleet that already comprises five French-flagged yachts: Le Ponant, 32 staterooms; Le Levant, 45 staterooms; Le Diamant, 113 staterooms and suites; and Le Boreal and L’Austral, both with 132 staterooms and suites. Chief executive officer, Jean-Emmanuel Sauvee says, "For Compagnie du Ponant this order is another step towards the future that validates an effective business model, a good and successful bet.” The most recent additions of the two cruise yachts to the fleet, Le Boreal and L’Austral, represent Compagnie du Ponant’s dual focus on luxury travel with top-of-the-line amenities and environmental awareness. The new ship will also adhere to the environmental label the “clean ship” that Le Boreal and L’Austral have acquired as a result on the numerous eco-friendly features such as; dynamic-positioning, advanced waste water treatment, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and underwater detection system. The company has found that this dual business model has attracted many new clients, finding that one in two guests in 2011 is a new customer for Compagnie du Ponant, while one in four is going on a cruise holiday for the first time. The company boasts that these findings are as a result of their enthusiastic personnel. Compagnie du Ponant’s shareholders share this enthusiasm and are showing ongoing confidence in the company’s business model and the crews and land-based teams by investing in this new ship. Having led the project to build the two previous yachts, the Italian Fincantieri shipyard has again been entrusted with the new ship. French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel will be responsible for the modern interior. “In keeping with our concept of cruising, we are again favoring the intimate, friendly environment of a well-designed mega-yacht sized ship, ensuring our passengers receive individual attention and personalised ‘tailor-made’ service in an outstanding environment,” concludes Veronique Saade, Deputy Executive Vice-President. |