Ponant Unveils Design Concepts for Carbon-Neutral Cruise Ship by 2030

French cruise company Ponant has unveiled two design concepts for a next-generation cruise ship aimed at reducing emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The 594-foot ship will feature 100 cabins and continue Ponant’s global operations. The project, called Swap2Zero (Sustainable, Wind-Assisted Propulsion, Zero-Emission Ready), is a collaboration with Stirling Design International and incorporates six decarbonization technologies.

Ponant’s CEO, Hervé Gastinel, explained that the ship’s goal is to have zero greenhouse gas emissions during sailing, maneuvering, in port, or at anchor. Renewable energy from wind and solar power will be combined with low-carbon non-fossil energy from fuel cells to achieve this. The project aims to create a French technological showcase to inspire others to commit to carbon-neutral navigation.

The design concepts include two different sail systems: six Ayro Oceanwings or three Solid Sail technologies being developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The aim is to generate 50 percent of the ship’s propulsion energy from wind power. A low-temperature fuel cell using liquid hydrogen will also contribute to propulsion, with the water and heat produced being recycled. A carbon capture system will be coupled with a high-temperature fuel cell.

The ship will also feature over 1,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels integrated into its structures and sails, providing electrical power. A high-temperature fuel cell will generate power for the hotel load while the emitted heat will be recovered for hot water production. The ship’s systems will be managed by a control and power distribution system designed to operate without generators.

Other cruise companies, including Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, and Viking, have also started testing fuel cells for power generation on their ships. Hurtigruten and its partners have recently presented designs for a zero-emission cruise ship featuring batteries, retractable sails with solar panels, and AI technologies, with a target launch date of 2030.

Ponant’s new cruise ship aims to showcase the potential of decarbonization technologies and inspire the industry to embrace carbon-neutral navigation for a more sustainable future.

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