Ponant Explorations’ Asia Pacific division, part of the Ponant Explorations Group, has announced the start of a new partnership with Australian food rescue organisation, OzHarvest.
This new initiative aligns with the company’s ethos that are built around giving back to the regions they visit as part of their small-ship operations. Having sailed in the Kimberley region and other parts of Northern Australia for over a decade, Ponant Explorations’ new commitment is a natural extension of the company’s involvement in the region and their sailing operations in close collaboration with the local communities.
“Ponant Explorations’ concept of small ship adventures evolves around authenticity and connection,” Ponant Explorations Group for Asia Pacific CEO, Deb Corbett, said. “Working with local communities around the globe has been at the core of our vision since our beginning.
“It is only natural we give back as an acknowledgement of their contribution to the humbling experiences we deliver at sea, all around the globe. We look forward to contributing to OzHarvest’s success in creating a sustainable future for many, the same way Ponant Explorations has led the way towards a more sustainable form of tourism. This alignment is an opportunity for our two organisations to make a great impact.”
“Our partnership with Ponant Explorations is helping us do just that,” OzHarvest founder, Ronni Kahn AO, said. “Thanks to their support, our team in the Northern Territory can continue getting good food to those who need it most. Operating out of Darwin, we rescue and deliver 350kg of essential food hampers each week and run a pop-up store in the Jabiru community – ensuring remote communities have access to fresh, nutritious food close to home.
“Ponant Explorations is also supporting our FEAST program, a curriculum-aligned education initiative for primary and high school students. Over 10 weeks, students dive into the issue of food waste and its environmental impact, learn about healthy eating, and get hands-on in the kitchen. With Ponant Explorations’ contribution, we’ll be able to bring this program to over 70 schools and reach more than 4,400 students – helping young people understand the true value of food and develop practical life skills to become future change makers.”
For almost a decade, Ponant Explorations has been pioneering small-ship expedition voyages in Australia, with a strong presence in the iconic Kimberley region and additional itineraries over the years to Tasmania, the West Coast, and remote Macquarie Island.
Founded in France and now a global leader in sustainable, small-ship cruising, the company positions two of its state-of-the-art vessels in the Asia Pacific region each year. With a deliberately limited capacity of around 200 guests per voyage, Ponant Explorations champions a low-impact, human-scale approach to exploration at sea, setting a benchmark for more sustainable practices in the luxury cruise industry.
