PONANT has been selected to receive INNOVFUND support for its groundbreaking Swap2Zero project – the world’s first transoceanic ship designed for carbon neutrality.
The European Commission grant will help drive the development of a pioneering mix of renewable energy solutions, advancing the company’s ambitious decarbonisation goals.
This grant, provided by the European Commission and financed through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), represents one of the world’s largest funding initiatives dedicated to advancing innovative low-carbon energy technologies.
This decision marks a significant milestone in the recognition PONANT is receiving for its efforts to accelerate the transition towards decarbonizing the cruise sector. It also underscores the commitment of France’s entire industrial sector, which is mobilising to meet the decarbonisation challenges anticipated by 2050.
This initiative has the additional support from the French government and BPI, as part of the CORIMER 2023 call for expressions of interest. Its ambitions are fully aligned with the objectives of France 2030 and CORIMER’s ‘Green Ship’ roadmap, aimed at accelerating the transformation and deployment of technological solutions within the maritime industry.
“Getting this grant sends a very encouraging message to teams working on this ambitious decarbonisation project. The recognition acknowledges PONANT’s pioneering spirit. With the Swap2Zero project we are building a showcase of French technology around the first zero emission ship in operation,” says Patrick Augier, PONANT General Secretary.
Deb Corbett, PONANT CEO APAC said it was a commitment to both technological advancement and to the principles of responsible tourism.
“With Swap2Zero, we’re reinforcing our dedication to minimising our environmental impact while offering unparalleled experiences to our guests. Responsible tourism is at the core of everything we do, and this project is a key step forward in shaping a more sustainable future for the industry,” she said.
PONANT leads a highly replicable project to accelerate shipping industry decarbonisation. This grant is a testament to the years of research and development led by PONANT’s R&D and New Building teams, under the direction of Mathieu Petiteau.
It validates the Swap2Zero project, which targets zero CO² emissions during operations, with a one-month autonomy. This ambitious goal is made possible through the integration of six groundbreaking decarbonisation technologies, serving as the foundation of the initiative.
- A sail power system and hull providing 50 per cent of the propulsion energy using the force of the wind;
- A surface area totalling over 1,000m2 of next-generation, eco-designed photovoltaic panels produced in France.
- A low temperature fuel cell operating on liquid hydrogen for propulsion, with the water and heat produced being recycled;
- A high temperature fuel cell to meet the ship’s hotel load needs, with the heat emitted being recovered and used to produce hot water;
- On-board carbon capture technology, coupled with the high temperature fuel cell;
- An innovative bespoke energy management system to control and distribute power without generators being in service.
With this financial support, PONANT is strengthening its position as leader in the maritime ecological transition. The company continues with its ambitious program to have a decarbonised ship by 2030 while contributing to the development of innovative solutions for more sustainable tourism.
