Construction of Le Lapérouse continues with the laying of the first block, while the first sheet of steel has been cut for Le Champlain, marking the launch of the construction of the second in the series of four Ponant Explorers sister ships, due to be delivered in summer 2018 and summer 2019. These 4 yachts will be fitted with a multi-sensorial underwater lounge, an exclusive design and a world first, which will be revealed in May 2017.
The only French cruise ship owner and world leader in luxury expeditions, Ponant is continuing the construction of its four future sister-ship yachts, the Ponant Explorers series. The first block of Le Lapérouse was laid on 22 February 2017 in the Vard shipyard, the Norwegian subsidiary of Fincantieri. On that occasion, the hull was formed from 2 blocks weighing 60 and 29 tons.
Following this first yacht in the Ponant Explorers series is Le Champlain, and her first steel was cut on 1 March, in the presence of Hugues Decamus, Newbuilding chief engineer for Ponant.
These first two sister-ships will be operational for summer 2018, while the next two ships, Le Bougainville and Le Dumont d’Urville will arrive for the summer 2019 season. This new generation of ships flying the French flag will be fitted with the latest technology and will be certified 1C (Ice class). These flagships will meet the standards of the international Cleanship label (Bureau Veritas), as a result of their innovative green technology.
Combining moderate size (131 metres in length and 92 cabins), design and technology, the Ponant Explorers are built to be able to drop anchor in the most inaccessible sites. They will start their inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, but their itineraries will also take them to the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
At the end of May, Ponant will reveal a world first: a brand-new and exclusive concept of a multi-sensorial underwater lounge, designed in conjunction with the architect Jacques Rougerie, Member of the Institut de France.