Ponant exploration ships have reduced carbon dioxide emissions per cruise day by 14 percent in 2024 compared to 2018, according to the company's newly published 2024 Sustainability Report. This reduction is nearly half of the target to cut emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
The decrease results from improvements in fleet energy efficiency and the use of alternative energies. The report also highlights that single-use plastics have been completely eliminated on ships, as drinking water is now made from seawater instead of being loaded in bottles, saving 20 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
All waste is sorted onboard, and the company works with waste recovery companies in each port, aiming to have 50 percent of waste recovered for recycling by 2026. Wassim Daoud, head of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, stated that the report provides a clear picture of progress and the road ahead, emphasizing continued efforts toward decarbonization and reducing environmental impact.
Ponant is also working on the Swap2Zero project, a ship 181 meters long with about 100 cabins, set to launch around 2030. Co-funded by the European Union's Innovation Fund, the vessel aims to achieve zero CO2-equivalent emissions during transoceanic voyages. The project combines six breakthrough technologies, including renewable energy from wind and sun, and fuel cells using decarbonized energy and non-fossil fuels.
