Fincantieri has signed an agreement with the French shipowner Ponant for the design and construction of two new-generation cruise ships. It is an order of 300 million euros and the signed MoU provides for the option to build a third twin unit.
The two cruise ships will be designed for the luxury segment and will have small dimensions: a capacity of around 230 passengers each and a gross tonnage of 11 thousand tons.
The two new boats will represent the evolution of the “Ponant Explorers” class and will be positioned in the South Pacific for the Paul Gauguin Cruises brand. The ships will be delivered to Ponant in 2022.
For the shipowner, Fincantieri had already built four ships in Ancona: Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, delivered between 2010 and 2015.
“Continuing to collaborate with a lively operator like Ponant, with whom the total units will reach 13 units, for a new generation project and strongly inspired by environmental protection, can only be a great satisfaction,” said the administrator delegate of Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono.
In addition to these, Vard, the Norwegian company controlled by Fincantieri, has built four “Ponant Explorers” class units and will deliver the last two of the series in 2020.
Furthermore, in 2021, Vard will deliver to the French shipowner Le Commandant Charcot, who will be the first hybrid-electric arctic cruise ship.
The ships will be built with the most advanced technologies, more and more environmentally friendly, with the largest battery apparatus in the sector, which will allow smoke-free operations at anchor, in ports and in sensitive areas.
“The agreement for two more ships makes us develop the Paul Gauguin brand acquired a few weeks ago and consolidates our position as a world leader in the luxury expedition segment – said Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant – For the first time in the world of cruise ship, these two new ships will shut down the engines and cease all emissions every day during each stop, for almost ten hours a day”.
