PONANT, a leader in luxury polar expeditions and the only French cruise line, has confirmed the order for the first electric hybrid icebreaker, propelled by Liquefied Natural Gas. A very first in the cruising world. Following a public tender PONANT reached a decision to appoint VARD, FINCANTIERI’s Norwegian subsidiary, to build the new ship with delivery scheduled for 2021.

With just 135 staterooms and luxury service, PONANT’s new ship will be “Clean Ship certified and environmentally friendly”. The ship will take passengers to never explored polar destinations, such as the true geographic North Pole (90 degrees North Latitude), the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea and Peter I Island.

PONANT, www.ponant.com