French luxury small ship operator Ponant is expanding by nearly doubling the size of its fleet.
The line has signed a letter of intent for four luxury expedition cruise ships from Norwegian shipbuilder Vard.
The ice-class expedition ships will be about 10,000 gross tons and able to accommodate 180 passengers.
Interiors will be designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, depicting an ‘ethnic chic universe’ using natural materials and colours, the line said.
The newbuilds are described as the ‘first step in a project to expand the company’s fleet’.
Ponant was acquired by Artemis last year.
Delivery of all four ships is scheduled between 2018-2019 and will join existing Ponant vessels Le Boreal, L’Austral, Le Soleal, Le Ponant yacht and Le Lyrial.
