France-based operator Ponant said the construction of its LNG-powered polar exploration vessel, Le Commandant Charcot kicked off at the Vard shipyard in Tulcea, Romania.

The operator noted the steel cutting for the new flagship vessel took place earlier this month.

Designed for intense polar explorations, and with PC2 Polar Class certification, Le Commandant Charcot is an electric hybrid vessel featuring LNG propulsion.

The vessel is intended for polar expeditions of durations from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Thanks to its two tanks of a total capacity of 4,500 cubic meters, this ship will be capable of making its entire routes using LNG.

The tanks will be designed and delivered by the French LNG containment systems specialist GTT.

Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2021, Ponant said.