Fincantieri subsidiary to build 128m vessels designed by Sterling Design International
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Ponant has signed a letter of intent for four new cruise ships from Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri.
Featuring an exterior designed by Sterling Design International, the 128m ships will be equipped with the latest environmental preservation and operational technologies so they can be manoeuvred easily and reach sites that are inaccessible to larger vessels. They will also be ice-class ranked.
Interiors will be designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, who will create an ‘ethnic chic universe’ inspired by driftwood, natural materials and colours that reflect the spirit of ‘sophisticated, yet authentic adventure’. Each vessel will feature 92 staterooms and be staffed by a 110-strong crew.
Ponant will develop new Blue Expeditions and Green Expedition categories to enable guests on the four vessels to get as close as possible to local cultures, nature and wildlife during excursions with naturalists. Blue Expeditions will focus on exploring Oceania, while Green Expeditions will take passengers to South America’s best preserved sites, the Orinoco River in Amazonia, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, or the Indian Ocean.
The order is the first step the line has taken to expand its fleet following its acquisition by Artemis in 2015. The first of the four newbuilds is expected to be delivered in 2018.