Marseilles-based Compagnie du Ponant, operator of expedition-type small cruise ships, plans to order a newbuild melding a raft of advanced and groundbreaking technologies focused on decarbonisation.

The sail-assisted, ocean-going vessel concept developed jointly with Stirling Design International of Nantes is expected to be operationally realised by 2030. 

The envisaged fleet addition, at some 181m length overall and incorporating about 100 passenger cabins, would give first form to the Swap2Zero research programme in which Ponant has partnered with shipbuilding industry and renewable energy specialists.