Ponant, in a recent press release, announced a groundbreaking ship concept aimed at advancing towards carbon neutrality. The company’s R&D team has developed an innovative design that incorporates six cutting-edge technologies, set to redefine future navigation in the cruise industry.
Expected to be operational by 2030, this new sailing vessel is intended to be a trailblazer for new energy solutions not only for Ponant but also for the entire cruise sector. As discussions continue, the company is in the process of selecting a shipyard and determining the delivery date for this ambitious project.
According to Hervé Gastinel, the CEO of Ponant, their future ship aspires to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions during sailing, maneuvering, at port, or while anchored. They plan to reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint throughout its entire life cycle. The ship will harness renewable energy from wind and sun, along with low-carbon non-fossil energy provided by fuel cells.
The ship’s design calls for a 100-stateroom vessel with an overall length of 181 meters. Ponant follows an eco-design approach known as Swap2Zero, aiming for zero CO2 eq* emissions during operation. The innovative concept combines six major decarbonization technology building blocks:
- A sail power system and hull that will utilize the force of the wind to supply an average of 50% of the propulsion energy.
- Over 1,000m2 of photovoltaic panels, featuring new-generation organic solar eco-designed devices integrated into the structures and sails.
- A low-temperature fuel cell using liquid hydrogen for propulsion, with the water and heat produced being recycled.
- A high-temperature fuel cell to meet the ship’s hotel load requirements, with the emitted heat being recovered and used for producing hot water.
- On-board carbon capture technology, in conjunction with the high-temperature fuel cell.
- An innovative bespoke energy management system to control and distribute power efficiently without relying on generators.
The Swap2Zero ship will also play a role in Ponant’s science program, showcasing the company’s commitment to supporting researchers involved in decarbonization technologies, an essential aspect of combatting global warming.
Hervé Gastinel emphasized that Ponant, being a company of sailors dedicated to exploration and innovation, is driven by a pioneering spirit that underlies the Swap2Zero program. It represents more than just a new ship; instead, the company aims to offer a new mode of navigation while actively contributing to the decarbonization of the maritime sector. The company’s in-house R&D team has brought together leading experts in shipbuilding and renewable energy to create an energy model targeting zero emissions. With Swap2Zero, Ponant is constructing a French technological showcase to inspire other stakeholders to commit to carbon-neutral navigation.
