Mathieu Petiteau, Ponant’s director of research and development, said designs for the French line’s fourteenth ship had been worked on “for several months” and would undergo “a new whole life cycle concept” to reduce the vessel’s ecological footprint.

“We’re assessing all the potential impacts: discharges into the atmosphere and water, microplastics, noise levels, and social and human impacts,” said Petiteau. “A total new generation ship needs to be designed and we intend to deliver it.”

Ponant said its aim was to deliver a ship which could combine several non-fossil fuel energy sources, including wind propulsion, with new generation biofuels such as green hydrogen also being examined.

The line plans to conclude its initial blueprint by the end of the year before drawing up technical specifications and tendering to shipbuilders.

Its goal is to have the vessel sailing by 2025.

In September 2021, Ponant launched a hybrid electric expedition vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, powered by liquefied natural gas.

Ponant said work on its next ship would identify options to accelerate “ecological and energy transition” across its fleet.