CONSTRUCTION is underway on Selar’s new luxury, low-emission polar cruise ship, Captain Arctic (render pictured), which is advertised to cut emissions by 90%.
The vessel’s keel-laying ceremony took place in late Nov in the United Arab Emirates, marking the start of construction of the 70-metre hull, ahead of a projected Nov 2026 debut from Tromso, which are on sale now.
Selar is also advertising Captain Arctic cruises to Svalbard and Greenland, with voyages leading in from 6,780 per person.
The concept for the ship was developed by Selar Chief Executive Sophie Galvagnon, who has worked for decades in the shipping industry, including a period working for Ponant.
Galvagnon told the media she and her team spent the past two years designing Captain Arctic, which will accommodate 36 passengers and 24 crew.
Captain Arctic will be powered by five, 35-metre-high retractable solar sails.
The design has been rendered by a number of other expedition cruise lines of late, such as HX (CW 14 Oct 2024) and Ponant (CW 30 Oct 2024), however Selar is believed to be the first to get such a project to build.
The sails will be made of aluminum and fitted with 2,000m2 of solar panels, along with shaft generators and batteries to store power.
Captain Arctic’s onboard amenities will include a lounge, a restaurant, a gym, a sauna, as well as Zodiacs, kayaks, paddles, skis, snowshoes, snorkeling gear, and a science lab.
The project is a partnership between Goltens and Chantier Naval de l’Ocean Indien. MS