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Wärtsilä to power Ponant’s world-first hybrid electric icebreaker

PHOTO: Ponant
Ponant’s new cruise vessel will feature advanced environmental performance with Wärtsilä LNG solutions
Ponant’s highly advanced, pioneering luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, due to enter service in 2021 will be powered by technology group Wärtsilä’s 31DF dual-fuel engine, which emphasises outstanding efficiency, extremely economical fuel consumption, and minimal emissions.

The polar ice-class vessel is being built at Fincantieri’s Vard Søviknes in Norway.

Because the 150mtr long ship will operate in environmentally sensitive Arctic and Antarctic waters, it will operate primarily on LNG and there will be zero air emissions when it operates in hybrid electric mode.

Lastest generation of electric batteries

Use of the latest generation of electric batteries will make it possible to sail without using the engines for two to three hours at a stretch.

In addition to four 14-cylinder and two 10-cylinder Wärtsilä 31DF engines, Wärtsilä will also supply the fuel gas supply system.

Also included in the scope is Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum advanced navigation equipment, which can later be integrated with an Eniram proactive energy management system delivering predictive insights and mobile alerts. Eniram is a Wärtsilä company.

‘We have ordered the building of a clean ship featuring technologies that go beyond current industry-standard environmental regulations. This is why we have chosen a propulsion format with Wärtsilä’s highly efficient 31DF engine running on LNG,’ says Charles Gravatte, Ponant general secretary.

Environmentally sustainable shipping

‘Wärtsilä’s cutting-edge technologies are making a huge contribution to creating cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable shipping. This valuable contract is a clear example of this. We are delighted to be supporting Ponant in enabling this cruise ship to meet the highest standards of sustainability,’ says Glenn Mattas, regional sales director, South Europe & Africa, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered in 2020, one year before delivery of Le Commandant Charcot. This will be the twelfth ship in Ponant’s fleet of cruise vessels. The previous eleven ships are all powered by Wärtsilä engines.