Discover the epitome of luxury exploration... under the French flag.
Chart a course to the roof of the world, a worldfirst! The geographic North Pole at 90 degrees latitude North, but also these inaccessible sites of Antarctica: the Weddell Sea, Charcot and Peter I islands
PONANT ICEBREAKER PONANT ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE INAUGURAL HYBRID ICEBREAKER POWERED BY LNG, A WORLD FIRST FOR THE CRUISE INDUSTRY. The only French cruise ship operator and world leader in polar expeditions, PONANT announces the signature of a construction contract for the first hybrid icebreaker, powered by Liquified Natural Gas. PONANT has awarded VARD (Vard Holdings Limited) the Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the contract to build this exceptional icebreaker, delivery of which is scheduled for 2021.
A DUAL WORLD FIRST: THE FIRST POLAR SHIP, A HYBRID, POWERED BY ELECTRICITY AND LNG THE FIRST ICEBREAKER CRUISE SHIP The Ponant Icebreaker, a polar expedition vessel, will join the PONANT fleet, the most recent in the cruise sector. A SYMBOLIC MILESTONE FOR PONANT The commissioning of this innovate icebreaker, unique on the market, represents a decisive step for the company and for the cruise industry: PONANT, sailing under the French flag, is confirming its leadership position on polar destinations. This exceptional vessel confirms PONANT s position in the luxury sector in France and internationally, incorporating ever-more demanding quality standards: French way of life, personalised service, refined gastronomy, spa, and more. RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION AND EXTREME EXPLORATION The first ever PC2 Polar Class luxury cruise ship, this hybrid electric icebreaker powered by Liquified Natural Gas, will be fitted with the latest environmental protection technology. Designed specifically to explore the extreme regions of the northern and southern hemispheres, this technology will allow her to sail in total safety and the greatest of comfort through an ice floe that is more than 2.5 metres thick and compression ridges of more than 10 metres. Thanks to her independent energy supply, she will also be able to sail in the most extreme regions. 4
PONANT ICEBREAKER, THE 1 ST EXTREME POLAR EXPLORATION VESSEL Step foot on the ice, reach the true Geographic North Pole at 90 degrees latitude North. Cross the Arctic Ocean. Discover the extreme North East of Greenland, the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea, reach Peter I Island... A previously inaccessible dream. PONANT, WORLD LEADER IN POLAR EXPEDITIONS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS Leader in expeditions to polar regions and experts in the extreme regions of the world, PONANT is the only French shipowner to organise polar cruises. For more than 20 years, the company has been offering a large selection of exclusive itineraries, created by experienced sailors and allowing its passengers to get as close as possible to many exceptional sites, in conditions of comfort and service that are unique on the market. The Ponant Icebreaker will be the 1 st ship flying the French flag to reach the Geographic North Pole. EXPLORATION IN A PALATIAL ENVIRONMENT PONANT takes its guests in the footsteps of the great polar explorers aboard the very first new generation icebreaker ever to be designed. This Polar Odyssey, which is much more than a cruise, promises to be a magnificent adventure in a refined setting with luxurious services never before available on this type of ship, destined for extreme destinations: helicopters and Zodiac dinghies aboard the ship, vast panoramic suites, personalised service, gastronomic cuisine, spa... With 135 staterooms, this innovative, environmentally-friendly vessel, with Clean Ship certification will take her passengers to the heart of the ice, embarking on veritable polar adventures, where landscapes made up of ice and exceptional wildlife (Polar bears, Emperor Penguins, whales and more) will reveal their secrets thanks to the presence of naturalist guides and scientists sailing with her. 5
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT THE HEART OF THE DESIGN THE FIRST HYBRID ELECTRIC ICEBREAKER, POWERED BY LNG The first ever PC2 Polar Class luxury cruise ship, this hybrid electric icebreaker powered by Liquified Natural Gas, at the cutting edge of technology, will be a real pioneer in terms of environmental protection. Perfected Cleanship fittings, going beyond the current environmental regulations: Reduction of SO2, NOX, CO2 and particle emissions thanks to the use of LNG Zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode Use of advanced Dual Fuel/GNL technology Compliance with new IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 regulations on Sulphur emission levels Compliance with ECA requirements (Emission Control Area) Energy management Energy optimisation system that precisely measures consumptions and optimisation of ship sailing methods Waste Heat Recovery System Electric output optimised and consumption reduced through the use of latest generation electric batteries Water treatment Advanced Waste Water Treatment system A LABORATORY SPECIALLY FOR USE BY FRENCH AND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH TEAMS Aboard this ship, a laboratory will be made available to scientists for research or operational oceanographic missions. The company is therefore offering real logistical support to the scientific community and notably the possibility of: Depositing material or people at specific, difficult-to-access sites Welcoming aboard the ship researchers and their scientific material in dedicated laboratories Installing aboard independent scientific material 6
North Pole Antarctica THE EXTREME ODYSSEY Global leader in expeditions to polar regions, PONANT is drawing on its expertise to develop a unique product that will allow its passengers to discover previously inaccessible sites. The ultimate Odyssey, a fascinating journey that will transform each passenger into true ambassadors for the regions they will discover alongside the company s experts. A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF POLAR TRAVEL This first icebreaker cruise ship will be able to sail through an ice floe of up to 2.5m thickness. An extraordinary exploration tool, it will thus open up a new concept of travel, allowing previously inaccessible regions to be reached. ABSOLUTELY BRAND-NEW ITINERARIES DESIGNED BY PONANT S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the polar regions, PONANT is the only cruise company in the world to design its future itineraries in-house, with its own expedition teams. Thanks to exploratory visits, environmental impact assessments and the protocols developed by the company, the itineraries of the Ponant Icebreaker will be established with the greatest respect for the environment. PONANT IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE POLES A member of the Blue Charter of French shipowners, PONANT is an executive member of the IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). The purpose of the IAATO is to promote responsible tourism in the Antarctic. Its regulations include directives on the number of passengers allowed to land and on the specific rules to respect (maximum distances for approaching wildlife, briefings for passengers, crew members and expedition personnel, the Antarctic experience of the expedition personnel, emergency and medical evacuation plans). In the Arctic, PONANT is also member of the AECO (the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), which is dedicated to responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism. Furthermore, PONANT actively supports Le Cercle Polaire, a think tank that works to preserve the polar environments. Personalities from the Call of the Poles campaign and members of Le Cercle Polaire are thus regularly invited as keynote speakers on our polar cruises in order to raise passengers awareness with regard to the preservation of the polar regions. The company has also been awarded the Trophy of the Blue Charter of French shipowners. 7
REACH THE UNREACHABLE TECHNOLOGICAL PROWESS AT THE SERVICE OF THE ULTIMATE POLAR ADVENTURE A fleet of 16 expedition Zodiac dinghies Exterior design by Stirling Design International 2 onboard helicopters Azipod's Units the most powerful on the market provided by ABB LNG tank provided by GTT, with an optimised capacity of 4 500m3 offering great independence Battery packs Wärtsilä Dual Fuel engines the best performing engines on the market (W31) Stabilisers Reinforced hull Polar Class PC2 AN INNOVATION DEVELOPED WITH AKER ARCTIC, GLOBAL SPECIALIST IN ICE-SAILING TECHNOLOGIES The PC2 Polar Class hull of the Ponant Icebreaker was designed with Aker Arctic to combine forward sailing modes through compact ice and reverse sailing in extreme ice conditions, thank to the Double Action principle (Aker Arctic DAS ). With its innovative design, the Ponant Icebreaker offers unrivalled ice performances compared with classic icebreakers. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Staterooms and suites with balcony... 135 Including suites with patio doors... 68 and a private balcony Length... 150 m Width... 28 m Draught... 10 m Ice Class... PC 2 Propulsion... Dual Fuel & Hybrid electric Classification... Bureau Veritas Flag... French Crew members... 187 Panoramic restaurants... 2 Grill restaurant... 1 Spa & Wellness... 1 Onboard expedition Zodiac dinghies... 16 Onboard helicopters... 2 Shipyard... VARD Delivery... 2021 8