Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) and Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS) have signed a cooperation agreement with the French Ponant Explorations Group to support the development of innovative solutions for cruise and expedition vessels, with a strong focus on maritime decarbonisation and the advancement of Ponant’s Swap2Zero project.
Under the agreement, Ponant, BV and BVS will combine their respective experience to support the joint development of solutions for next-generation cruise and expedition ships. The cooperation will cover key areas including regulatory framework development, technical studies, advanced modelling, risk analysis, certification and classification pathways, and broader market awareness around decarbonisation solutions for the maritime industry.
A central pillar of the cooperation is Swap2Zero, Ponant Group’s project for a transoceanic passenger vessel designed to target near-zero operational emissions. The project brings together several technology pathways intended to support the future of sustainable cruise operations.
BV will contribute its experience in classification, certification, regulatory assessment and rule development for decarbonised ships and technologies, while BVS will provide technical studies, risk analysis and advanced modelling capabilities. Together with Ponant’s shipowner and operator expertise, the parties aim to help de-risk the integration of innovative technologies onboard and support the path toward approval, certification and future deployment. The agreement establishes a framework for joint communication and knowledge sharing on decarbonisation solutions for cruise and expedition ships.
David Barrow, BV SVP Western Europe and Americas, said: “This cooperation agreement with Ponant Explorations Group reflects our shared ambition to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. By combining Ponant’s innovation leadership with Bureau Veritas’ expertise in classification, safety, risk and technical advisory services, we aim to help advance practical and scalable solutions for the next generation of lower-carbon cruise and expedition vessels.”
Mathieu Petiteau, Newbuilding and R&D Director, Ponant Explorations Group, added: “This cooperation agreement embodies our commitment and our joint efforts to decarbonize the maritime sector, through the upskilling of our teams on new technologies and new energies, by advancing in the deployment and integration of innovative technologies on board ships, while controlling risks and offering real case studies for the application of new regulations.”
Image: Ponant’s Swap2Zero concept (credit: Ponant Explorations Group/Stirling Design International)
