Ponant Explorations Group has acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions.
The move was backed by Artemis Group, Ponant's parent company. Artemis owns several brands in fashion (including Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Balenciaga) wine and art.
Artemis' financial support will help Aqua Expeditions expand its footprint, said Francesco Galli Zugaro, Aqua's CEO and founder. He will remain a shareholder and continue to lead the company under the Aqua Expeditions brand name.
Aqua Expeditions operates small ships in the Galapagos and Indonesia, and on the Mekong and Peruvian Amazon rivers. Aqua will begin sailing in the Seychelles and the Zanzibar archipelago this December.
Ponant's last acquisition was South Pacific specialist Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019.