French luxury small ship operator Ponant is expanding in a big way by nearly doubling its fleet size.
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 colors, 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 Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, Le Ponant yacht and Le Lyrial.
"This project is fully in line with our diversification strategy to enter the expedition cruise market, realizing synergies and increased cooperation with our majority owner Fincantieri. We look forward to become acquainted with Ponant and their team, and we are honored to have been chosen as the preferred partner," said Vard’s CEO and executive director Roy Reite.
