PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and ArcelorMittal sign strategic MoU to advance sustainable shipbuilding with XCarb® low carbon-emissions steel
19 November 2025
PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, world leader in the high-end exploration cruise market, and ArcelorMittal, the world’s leading steel and mining company, are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on joint sustainability initiatives. This partnership marks a significant step forward in PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP’s Swap2Zero project, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80%.
Under the MoU, the two companies will work together to integrate XCarb® recycled and renewably produced low carbon-emissions heavy steel plates, produced in Gijon, Spain, into PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP’s shipbuilding process, the ultimate goal being to build 100% of the vessel hulls using ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® steel.
ArcelorMittal now offers XCarb® recycled and renewably produced low carbon-emissions heavy plates with guaranteed availability across a wide range of grades, certifications, and dimensions all being certified by independent Environmental Product Declarations.
The MoU highlights the following key achievements:
- Certified supply chain: The MoU provides for certification by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore of the materials and production for XCarb® steel plates, helping ensure compliance with independent marine certification standards.
- Global shipyard engagement: PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP will work with its selected shipyards worldwide to commit where possible, to using XCarb® heavy plates from ArcelorMittal, reinforcing their shared ambition for more sustainable shipbuilding.
- Circular economy innovation: The partners will explore the implementation of a steel traceability system that enables the recovery and reuse of steel at the end of a ship’s lifecycle, contributing to a closed-loop recycling model.
- Guaranteed availability: ArcelorMittal now offers XCarb® low carbon-emissions heavy plates with guaranteed availability across a wide range of grades, certifications, and dimensions.
This MoU reflects a shared commitment to accelerating the maritime industry's transition to net-zero emissions. By combining PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP’s pioneering sustainability goals with ArcelorMittal’s advanced steel solutions, the partnership sets a new benchmark for more responsible shipbuilding.
This collaboration supports compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which came into force on June 26, 2025. This convention includes maintaining an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and ensuring recycling facilities meet strict environmental standards.
Combining wind-assisted propulsion, solar panels, and renewable fuels, the Swap2Zero project is the first near zero-emission ocean-going cruise ship. Co-financed by the Innovation Fund of the European Union Emissions Trading System, as well as by France 2030, this support marks a major milestone for the Newbuilding and R&D teams of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP.
ABOUT PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP
Explore to Inspire: explore to better understand, learn, share and protect. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP has been committed to purposeful voyages of exploration, and more responsible tourism for over 35 years. Renowned for their expertise in exploration cruises, its brands - PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Aqua Expeditions and PONANT YACHTING - operate human-scale ships (ranging from 4 to 165 staterooms and suites), offering a refined, authentic, and inspiring experience. PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is owned by Artémis, the holding company of the Pinault family. More information on www.ponant.com
Press Contact: Justine Fraticelli +33(0)4 88 91 35 56 | presse@ponant.com
ABOUT ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal is one of the world’s leading integrated steel and mining companies with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. It is the largest steel producer in Europe, among the largest in the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia through its joint venture AM/NS India. ArcelorMittal sells its products to a diverse range of customers including the automotive, engineering, construction and machinery industries, and in 2024 generated revenues of $62.4 billion, produced 57.9 million metric tonnes of crude steel and, 42.4 million tonnes of iron ore. Our purpose is to produce smarter steels for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for the renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).
http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/
Press Contact: Sophie Evans +44(0)7825595849 | sophie.evans@arcelormittal.com
XCarb® recycled and renewably produced
