In what will be a world first, Ponant Expeditions’ icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot is to embark on a full circumnavigation of Antarctica between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia.
The ship will journey through remote, uncharted regions and navigate nearly 11,000 miles of coastline along the frozen continent.
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)
Le Commandant Charcot will set sail 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 whoise expertise in ice navigation at the highest latitudes was gained while commanding ships of the Ponant Explorations fleet.