The luxury French cruise line has revealed the concept for its zero-carbon transoceanic ship, set to launch in 2030.
Ponant, the French expedition cruise line, will launch a new ship in 2030 that is being designed with Stirling Design International to be carbon-neutral*.
Six decarbonisation technologies have been developed by Ponant’s research and development team, aiming to usher in a new era of innovation in the sustainable cruise category.
By 2030, our future ship aims to have zero greenhouse gas emissions when sailing, manoeuvring, in port or at anchor. Her carbon footprint will be reduced throughout her life cycle. Renewable energy supplied by the wind and sun will be combined with low-carbon non-fossil energy associated with fuel cells,” said PONANT Global CEO Hervé Gastinel.
Swap2Zero’s six technologies include a sail power system and hull, which provide an average 50 per cent of the propulsion energy using wind force; 1,000-square-metre surface araa of photovoltaic panels; a low-temperature fuel cell that operates on liquid hydrogen for propulsion, with water and heat recycled; a high-temperature fuel cell for the hotel requirements, with heat emitted recovered and reused for water heating; on-board carbon-capture technology; and a bespoke energy management system to control and distribute power without generators.
The 181-metre vessel, which is set to feature around 100 staterooms, will also host researchers involved in decarbonisation technologies as part of Ponant’s Science programme.
“PONANT is a company of sailors focused on exploration and innovation, and it is this pioneering spirit that is inspiring the whole Swap2Zero programme,” added Gastinel. “This is much more than a new ship. We want to offer a new mode of navigation and actively contribute to decarbonisation of the maritime sector. Our inhouse R&D team has brought together the best specialists in shipbuilding and renewable energy to imagine and develop an energy model that aims at zero emissions. With Swap2Zero, we are building a French technological showcase to convince other stakeholders to commit to carbon neutral navigation”.
* CO2 eq = well to wheel CO2 equivalent emissions; takes into account CO2, Methane, N20 emissions