Fincantieri’s subsidiary VARD, which is one of the major global shipbuilders of specialized ships (expedition and support vessels), delivered the polar cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot to PONANT.
The ship is with electric hybrid propulsion/LNG-powered and was developed by PONANT, VARD, Stirling Design International, and Aker Arctic.
The newbuild is specially designed to bring guests to discover the unexplored lands of the polar world including the geographic North Pole (90 degrees North Latitude), the Ross Sea, the Weddell Sea, Peter I Island Norway.
The boat (initially named "Ponant Icebreaker") is PC2-classified (Polar Class 2) and is expected to fulfill the highest standards for safe and environmentally friendly operations. Charcot is the first-ever electric hybrid cruise ship with icebreaking technology and dual fuel propulsion, boasting high-capacity batteries and LNG storage onboard.
Le Commandant Charcot has GT tonnage/volume 31757 tons, LOA length 150 m, width 28 m, passenger capacity 245 (plus 235 crew-staff), 9 decks, 123 staterooms.