PONANT has announced that Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT’s first LNG-powered hybrid electric luxury polar exploration vessel, reached the geographic North Pole yesterday evening at 6:38pm (AEST), with Captain Etienne Garcia at the helm and Captain Marchesseau at his side.
PONANT said that this is the very first French ship to reach the North Pole (90,00,000°), with Captain Etienne Garcia saying, “I am hugely proud to have been at the helm of the very first French ship to reach the geographic North Pole, the ultimate achievement of a collective adventure started by PONANT many years ago”, adding, “I am very grateful to the crew and all the staff on board that has contributed to making this possible”.
Le Commandant Charcot is also the very first LNG-propelled ship to reach that destination.
PONANT was created in 1988, by officers of the French Merchant Navy, and has created a new style of cruising, under the French flag, through a unique conception of sea travel blending a pioneering spirit, French-inspired hospitality, and a commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
PONANT specialises in accessing exceptional territories aboard small-capacity luxury expedition ships featuring refined design, on which the art of living and excellent cuisine take pride of place: such is the promise of a unique and authentic voyage with PONANT, the claimed world leader of luxury expeditions.
Written by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor, Global Travel Media, and Global Cruise News.
