Zero CO2 Emissions Newbuild Designs
By Anne Kalosh
Ponant unfurled two sail-powered cruise ship designs aimed at achieving zero greenhouse gas equivalent emissions.
In doing so, the French small-ship line that got its start with the Ponant sailing yacht returns to its roots while aspiring to dramatically advance shipping’s decarbonization quest.
Ponant looks to commission a 181-meter/594-foot sailing vessel with approximately 100 staterooms for delivery by 2030, equipped with the zero CO2 emissions design.
Ayro Oceanwings or Solid Sail
In its talks with shipyards leading up to a newbuild contract, the line is considering two sail propulsion systems, Ayro Oceanwings and Solid Sail, both French designs.
The Ayro Oceanwings design is one of two concepts being considered by Ponant. * Rendering: Ponant
Solid Sail was developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the builder of many cruise ships.
VIDEO: Below you can see Ayro Oceanwings rendered in action on a cargo ship.
For Ponant, zero greenhouse gas equivalent emissions means no well-to-wheel equivalent emissions including CO2, methane and nitrogen oxides.
(“Well to wheel” takes into account all the emissions generated when producing a fuel, including extraction, processing and transport.)
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Swap2Zero
Ponant’s Swap2Zero concept, developed by its in-house research and development team, combines six technologies the line said will be a catalyst for new energy solutions for itself and the broader industry.
Ponant calls its approach “22Swap2Zero22.” * Image: Ponant
“By 2030, our future ship aims to have zero greenhouse gas emissions when sailing, maneuvering, in port or at anchor,” Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel said. “Her carbon footprint will be reduced throughout her lifecycle. Renewable energy supplied by the wind and sun will be combined with low-carbon non-fossil energy associated with fuel cells.”
Noting that Ponant is a company of sailors focused on exploration and innovation, Gastinel added: “This is much more than a new ship. We want to offer a new mode of navigation and actively contribute to decarbonization of the maritime sector. Our in-house R&D team has brought together the best specialists in shipbuilding and renewable energy to imagine and develop an energy model that aims at zero emissions.
“With Swap2Zero, we are building a French technological showcase to convince other stakeholders to commit to carbon neutral navigation.”
“This is much more than a new ship. We want to offer a new mode of navigation and actively contribute to decarbonization of the maritime sector,” Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel said. * Photo: Alexandre Lamy
Six Building Blocks
- Swap2Zero’s six main building blocks include a sail power system and hull providing an average 50 percent of the propulsion energy using the force of the wind.
- More than 1,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels with new generation organic solar eco-designed devices will be integrated into the structures and sails.
- A low temperature fuel cell will operate on liquid hydrogen for propulsion, with the water and heat produced being recycled.
- A high temperature fuel cell will meet the ship’s hotel power requirements, with the heat emitted recovered to produce hot water.
- On-board carbon capture technology will be coupled with the high temperature fuel cell.
- An innovative bespoke energy management system will control and distribute power without any generators being in service.
Stirling Design International
Ponant’s long-time partner, the French design, architecture and naval engineering firm Stirling Design International, is again involved in the newbuild planning.
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