Ponant, a French cruise ship operator, is adopting an eco vessel design approach with a selection of equipment and materials based on the entire lifecycle of a vessel.
The novel Swap2Zero vessel design aims for zero CO2 eq emissions in operation, with one month autonomy. According to the company, the means for the vessel to achieve a zero emission voyage is by combining multiple decarbonisation technology building blocks:
- A sail power system and hull providing an average of 50% of the propulsion energy using the force of the wind
- A surface area totalling over 1,000m2 of photovoltaic panels, with new generation organic solar eco-designed devices integrated into the structures and sails
- A low temperature fuel cell operating on 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 heat emitted being recovered and used to produce hot water
- On-board carbon capture technology, coupled with the high temperature fuel cell
- An innovative bespoke energy management system to control and distribute power without any generators being in service
PONANT is a company of sailors focused on exploration and innovation, and it is this pioneering spirit that is inspiring the whole Swap2Zero programme. This is much more than a new ship. We want to offer a new mode of navigation and actively contribute to decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
… said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT.
