PONANT Expeditions’ Le Commandant Charcot to circumnavigate Antarctica

PONANT Explorations announced that its luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot is about to achieve a new world first in Antarctica. 

In an unprecedented feat for a cruise ship, Le Commandant Charcot will embark on a full circumnavigation of the White Continent between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia.

Le Commandant Charcot will journey through remote, uncharted regions and navigate nearly 18,000 kilometres of coastline along the frozen continent, an area far larger than Europe. 

Indeed, the circumnavigation of Antarctica is a polar expedition unlike any before.

Le Commandant Charcot sets sail in January 2028, from Ushuaia (Argentina) westward to reach Hobart (Tasmania) in 30 days. 

After a two-day stopover she will then depart again towards her starting point, this time following the eastern coast of Antarctica over 34 days. 

This unprecedented itinerary was designed by Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau whose shared expertise in ice navigation at the highest latitudes gained whilst commanding ships of the PONANT Explorations fleet, has made this new sailing dream a reality. 

They will jointly command Le Commandant Charcot during this exclusive voyage. 

According to Garcia: “PONANT Explorations’ spirit is about those moments of shared awe as we witness the immense forces of nature at play. As one of the originators of this project and personally involved, I am deeply committed to guiding guests in uncovering the secrets of this new maritime route. It’s a privilege to help them experience how we humbly engage with the elements, the wind, the sea, and the ice, bringing us as close as possible to the marvels of the natural world.”

A ship for extreme climate conditions

Specifically designed for expeditions in extreme environments, Le Commandant Charcot features a PC2 polar hull, allowing her to navigate polar regions while minimising her environmental impact thanks to her hybrid electric engine powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

Sailing under the French flag, she meets the highest maritime safety and environmental standards. Her experienced crew is specially trained for ice navigation.  

Le Commandant Charcot is a true support base for all polar expeditions: by Zodiac, on snowshoe hikes, by kayak and, of course, the challenge of the polar plunge. 

She houses two laboratories, one dry and one wet, equipped to collect and analyse samples from water, ice and air; as well as a new SIMS antenna for continuously measuring ice thickness. 

Where the past and future meet

Likewise, this unique and adventurous voyage will serve as a bridge between the past and the future. 

It will revive the legacy of the great polar explorers, those legendary figures who braved the frozen expanses. 

In the pioneering spirit of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, guests will travel back in time and discover the remnants of forgotten camps that are silent witnesses to these incredible expeditions. 

Garcia added: “After sailing the Ross Sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot, I had the privilege of following in the footsteps of explorers Ross, Shackleton and Amundsen, who made history at the South Pole. I was captivated by the majesty of these polar landscapes as well as the incredible human adventures etched into them. Today, we want to allow guests to experience the thrill of exploration during the first circumnavigation of Antarctica. A land where humans have never set foot, a frozen world yet to be discovered.”