The Russian Marine rescue Service, the Murmansk Rescue Coordination Center and the West Arctic Ports Authority have held a Videocon training session in Arctic navigation safety for the crew of France’s “Lе commandant Charcot” icebreaking cruise vessel under construction.
According to the RF Agency for Maritime and Inland Shipping, the training session was held on the request of Ponant, as the company intends to launch a cruise on board the world’s first electric LNG-powered icebreaking cruise vessel to the North Pole in summer 2021.
“Lе commandant Charcot” designed by Aker Arctic was built at Vard in Norway was. The vessel is currently undergoing final trials and is scheduled to start on her maiden voyage in the Arctic Ocean in April. During April-September, eight cruises are planned, two of them include visiting the North Pole. The longest cruise will last for 25-30 days and will be routed eastwards along the Russian coast of the Northern Sea Route.
During October 2021 – March 2022 “Lе commandant Charcot” will be deployed in the Southern Hemisphere carrying tourists to the Antarctic.