Ponant, a firm at the forefront of maritime innovation, has been selected to receive Innovfund support for its Swap2Zero project, the first transoceanic ship aimed at carbon neutrality. 

 

This European Commission (EC) aid is towards development of an innovative combination of renewable energies to achieve its decarbonisation objectives.

 

This aid, granted by the EC and financed by revenue from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the deployment of innovative low-carbon energies technologies.

 

Decarbonising the cruise sector

This decision marks a milestone in the recognition being gained by Ponant for its efforts to accelerate the transition to decarbonise the cruise sector. It also highlights the commitment of the entire industrial sector that is mobilised in France to anticipate the challenges of decarbonisation expected by 2050. 

 

This initiative has also received support from the French government and BPI1 as part of the Corimer 20232 calls for expressions of interest, which ambition’s is fully aligned with the goals set by France 2030 and the ‘Green Ship’ roadmap of Corimer aimed at accelerating transformations 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, General Secretary of Ponant.

 

Years of R&D

This grant validates years of research and development driven by Ponant’s R&D and New Building engineers, orchestrated by Director Mathieu Petiteau. It confirms the Swap2Zero project, which aims at zero CO23 emissions in operation with one-month autonomy, due to six groundbreaking decarbonisation technologies as building blocks:

*A sail power system and hull providing 50% of the propulsion energy using the force of the wind;

 

*A surface area totalling over 1,000 sq m 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 programme to have a decarbonised ship by 2030 while contributing to the development of innovative solutions for more sustainable tourism.--TradeArabia News Service