MV Le Commandant Charcot is an icebreaking cruise ship with 2.5 m thick icebreaking capacity operated by the French shipping company Compagnie du Ponant, France.

Up to 4 scientists can join each leg for sampling or measurements in the high Arctic or in the Southern Ocean. It is equipped with two science laboratories, sampling equipment (Niskin bottles, winch for 1000m deep sampling) and instruments (Ferrybox, SeaIce thickness monitoring, pCO2 measurements).

Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges:1,2,4,5,6,7

Contact:science[at]ponant.com

Website

https://us.ponant.com/cruises/on-board/vessel-le-commandant-charcot

Location

Home Port: Le Havre, France

Facilities

Le Commandant Charcot is able to sail to remote areas that are normally difficult for scientists to access. Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with laboratories, specialised instruments, staterooms and a dedicated workforce, and offers a platform for observation, research and analysis that can be used for studying polar regions.

CHARCOT is a passenger vessel with 2.5 m thick icebreaking capacity delivered in  August 2021. Â

More information about the science can be found in the Science operating manual.

Services offered

Transnational access is offered to 4 scientists on each cruise for single missions or long-term missions.

Researchers from French institutions who are interested in berth access should contact science@ponant.com directly.

What is included in the Access

Unit of access: RI/day

Modalities of access offered: In-person access and remote access

The access includes a feasibility study by the infrastructure coordinator, instrument preparation, calibration and operation done by the science officer. Lodging and meals onboard the ship are also included. The typical duration of work is 10 to 28 days. The infrastructure operations and schedule are shared with the users. The selected users are independent to carry out their scientific work but constrained by the normal ship’s operation.

Availability for access in the TA Call 2024

Transnational access is offered to 4 scientists on each cruise for single missions or long-term missions in 2025 and 2026.

Routes and detailed information offered in the TA Call 2024 can be downloaded here.

Route Maps (I)

Itineraries (II)

Time frame for access preparations
Time frame to receive the documentation from RI users (after access is granted): Less than one month 
Time frame for logistic arrangements to access the RI: 6 months before access.

Permits, licenses and training

Depending on the activities.

Medical guidelines

Health questionnaire required.