Protecting the environment

Home /
Protecting the environment

Sustainable development

For more than 30 years, PONANT has been taking its guests to the most hidden locations on the planet, where nature rules in all its splendor. This choice of destination creates responsibilities towards the ecosystems of these rarely visited places and the local communities that live there.

PONANT recognizes its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strives to become a global benchmark with regard to sustainable development in its cruise activities.

We protect better what we know

Jean-Emmanuel SAUVÉE, CEO and Co-Founder of PONANT

Protecting the environment

State-of-the-art technology aboard the ships, improved waste and waste water treatment, raising the awareness of travelers, plans for the future that are increasingly innovative in terms of sustainable development...
Every day, PONANT is committed to protecting the environment.

An increasingly cleaner fleet

We go above and beyond current environmental regulations (the MARPOL convention for the prevention of pollution from ships and the Polar Code for example) by studying the ways that help us minimize our impact on the places we visit. Thanks to our efforts, all PONANT ships have been awarded the international “Clean Ship” label, which certifies that we have reduced our environmental impact.

A vigorous policy of drastic reduction in the use of fuel oil for ship operations

LSMGO (Low Sulfur Marine Gas Oil) is lighter and less polluting than HFO (heavy fuel oil)
LNG (liquified natural gas) is currently the greenest fuel on the market (25% less carbon emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions and 95% less fine particle emissions)

The technology at the heart of PONANT ship designs

Sonar system for the detection of shoals to avoid contact with icebergs and reefs

Refrigerant gas (R407C) used for air conditioning and for refrigeration units. It has no impact on the ozone layer and a very low impact on the greenhouse gas effect

Low energy and low heat emitting lighting system (LED and fiber optic based)

Dynamic positioning system that helps (when needed) maintain a vessel’s position without having to drop the anchor in sensitive marine environments such as coral reefs, thereby protecting the seabed

The latest generators equipped with an integrated electronic control system to optimise their functioning

Tin-free antifouling paint to protect marine ecosystems as much as possible

Real-time energy-consumption calculation tools to reduce energy consumption

The first electric hybrid polar ship powered by LNG in the world

PONANT is designing a luxury cruise polar exploration ship. Afloat in 2021, it will be fitted with the latest sustainable development technologies and will surpass the requirements of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 regulation.

Precise measurement
of consumptions
and optimization of
ship sailing

Latest generation
electric batteries
to reduce energy
consumption

Advanced
Waste Water
Treatment System

Waste Heat
Recovery
System

Energy
Optimization
System

Waste
treatment system
using
HydroThermal Oxidation.

The Icebreaker features perfected “Clean Ship” fittings that go beyond the current industry-standard environmental regulations:

Reduction of SO2, NOX, CO2 and particle emissions thanks to the use of LNG
Zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode
Use of advanced diesel engine technology
Compliance with new IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 regulation on Sulphur emission levels
Compliance with ECA requirements (Emission Control Area)

LNG’s advantages for the Earth

-25%

reduction in

carbon emissions

-85%

reduction in

nitrogen oxide emissions

-95%

reduction in

fine particle emissions

Energy management

Energy optimization system that precisely measures consumptions and optimization of ship sailing methods
Waste Heat Recovery System
Electric output optimized and consumption reduced through the use of latest generation electric batteries

Water treatment

Advanced Waste Water Treatment System

Improved waste and sewage treatment

All types of “water” generated aboard our ships are treated to prevent the potential risk of polluting aquatic environments.

Blackwater
is filtered, treated, and reused. At the end of the process, solid waste is stored and unloaded on land, in accordance with standard regulatory procedures.

Greywater
(bath, shower, kitchen, laundry) is recycled and reused to wash external decks.

Bilge water
is treated using ceramic membrane filtration systems to obtain an extremely low content of hydrocarbons: less than 5ppm instead of 15ppm.

Ballast water
is subject to biodecontamination.

Filtered and/or retreated bilge water and ballast water are stored aboard, awaiting unloading on land.

*During PONANT cruises, the water consumption by passenger is 5 times less important than the average consumption of water per person ashore.

100% of waste is separated and sorted on board
(solids – liquids – glass – cardboard – food – medicines)

The most
modern methods
pulpers / crushers / compactors

Recycling on board is 60% more effective than on land

700g is the average volume of non-recyclable waste, at the end of sorting, generated by every guest during a cruise. By comparison, the same person would have produced 2.3 kg of waste on land.

*During PONANT cruises, the waste production by passenger is 3 times less important than the average waste production per person ashore.

On a cruise, everyone’s responsible!

Additionally, an environmental impact study is carried out before the conception of each new itinerary to ensure that the impact of our landings is only ever temporary and transitory. On its expedition cruises, PONANT takes its passengers to some of the most remote and wild places on the planet. We are very conscious of our status as privileged guests at the sites we visit and of our obligations both towards them and towards the people who live there.

As such, we carry out an environmental impact study before designing every new itinerary. A biodiversity inventory (fauna, flora, geology) is taken of the places where we plan to disembark and access routes are prepared that do not impinge on the areas to be preserved. Consequently, we work together with several organizations, such as the TAAF (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, French Southern and Antarctic Lands), the Seychelles Foundation, the Aldabra Foundation, and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.

Minimising waves