On 12 September 2024 the ice-breaking cruise ship Le Commandant Charcot, operated by Compagnie du Panont, became the first ship to reach the north pole of inaccessibility, the point at which the Arctic Ocean is furthest from any landmass. She also passed through both the geographic and magnetic north poles during the same voyage.
Named after the French polar scientist Jean-Bartiste Charcot, she was built in Romania and was completed in 2021. She is a Polar Class 2 rated icebreaker capable of reaching remote destinations, including the magnetic North Pole.
Equipped with dual-fuel engines, Le Commandant Charcot primarily uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) to minimise its environmental impact, and also features an electric battery system that further reduces emissions.
The ship offers laboratories, an observation lounge, and even a Citizen Science programme that allows passengers to engage in polar research. With accommodation for 270 guests, each cabin has a private balcony, while the ship itself offers an array of luxurious amenities including fine dining and wellness facilities.
Le Commandant Charcot is pictured anchored off Reykjavik in August 2024. (Chris Hyde)
