The Compagnie du Ponant, with its head office in Marseilles (France),
is a subsidiary of CMA CGM, the world's third largest container shipping company.
The Company was created
in April 1988. Le Ponant, three-masts sailing ship of 32 cabins, built by the French Company of Shipbuilding (SFCN) according
to plans drawn by Michel BIGOIN (also designer of "Le Phocea") was delivered in May 1991.
Another important
stage in the history of the Compagnie du Ponant was the building of a new ship, Le Levant, which started
in December 1996. Le Levant was delivered in November 1998 and was inaugurated by Mrs Bernadette CHIRAC (wife of former French
President Jacques CHIRAC). Le Levant is an upscale 100-meter long yacht with 45 outside cabins. In 2004, the Company acquired
Le Diamant, a 124-meter-steamer with 113 outside cabins. This ship is also an expedition ship, perfectly equipped to reach
the polar destinations. That same year, the Company acquired the Parisian Tour-Operator, Tapis Rouge International, specialized
in luxury travel.
Today, the Compagnie du Ponant is ranked # 1 in French-flag cruise-lines.
