The keel of hybrid electric polar exploration vessel Le Commandant Charcot was laid at the Vard shipyard in Tulcea, Romania, on 14 December 2018, the French expedition cruise specialist Ponant that has ordered the ship said in a statement

The launch is scheduled for 2020, before delivery in 2021. Vard is part of the Fincantieri group.

“Designed for a new type of cruise ship, the vessel will incorporate all the latest innovations in environmental protection, making Ponant a model of excellence in responsible tourism,” the company said.

Le Commandant Charcot, which will use LNG as fuel, will be the first exploration vessel to surpass the ecological standards set out in international regulations. “Designed for intense polar explorations, and with PC2 Polar Class certification, Le Commandant Charcot will be able to reach exceptional destinations such as the Geographic North Pole and remote sites of the Antarctic continent including the Ross Sea, Charcot Island and Peter I Island,” Ponant said.