Further details about Ponant’s new Swap2Zero project were unveiled in a conference session at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami
Swap2Zero aims for zero CO2 emissions in operation by combining six major decarbonisation technology building blocks, including fuel cells. Ponant newbuilding director Mathieu Petiteau spoke on the Net Zero or Net Hero: Accomplishments and Challenges panel.
He said, “We’ve had three new vessel prototypes in 10 years. Innovation is in the heart of the company and two years ago we started Swap2Zero…. The concept did not start from the commercial side [such as how many cabins], but from the technology side.”
Usually, a ship starts with the commercial side but this time it is from the technology side because as he points out, if the vessel is delivered in 2030, it will have 30 years of life, and so must comply with net-zero regulations. The basic design is based on three main pillars: energy efficiency and how to make better use of this, using less energy and how to improve use of renewable energy, including decarbonised energy, wind and sun.
“It’s a holistic project,” said Mr Petiteau, explaining that while 80% of carbon is generated from the operation of the ship, 20% comes from the construction and end of life, so the concept focused on these areas too. Therefore, the hull will be based on low-carbon steel (50% of carbon at the construction stage comes from the hull).
An important part of the ship is to turn waste into energy. Ponant has found a solution to turn waste, such as cooking oil, into biodiesel. Mr Petiteau said, “We tested biodiesel with exhaust gas measurements and now we can recycle waste to bio energy.”
He summed up, “Before it was discharged as garbage, and now it is a valuable energy.”
Explaining how Ponant is reaching out to its passengers about getting to net zero, Mr Petiteau said, “The intention is to educate our passengers. We talk more and more about energy but we want to share this with live displays, such as using wind for energy.” In this way the company can show its values.
Following on this theme, Ponant’s Commandant Charcot has dedicated scientific laboratories where scientists can share their knowledge with passengers. The project started two years ago and now on every cruise the ship takes, scientists are on board.
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