Continuing its long-standing commitment to the spirit of community and maritime excellence, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is proud to expand its support for the next generation of Australian seafarers.

Since 2014, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP has operated in Australia with a clear mission: to explore differently and to support local communities. In 2025, that mission takes a bold new step as the Asia Pacific division partners with the Australian Maritime College (AMC) to provide invaluable sea time for cadets aboard its fleet of small capacity expedition vessels.

The Group's extensive fleet of luxury and sustainable vessels is equipped to host up to four cadets at a time, offering immersive hands-on experience from day one. Whether on the bridge or in the engine room, cadets become integral crew members, learning directly from seasoned officers. Many of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP's senior Deck and Engine Officers, including Staff Captains and Captains, began their journeys as cadets onboard. It is a legacy of mentorship that continues to shape the company's future.

In a significant expansion, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP will now offer up to thirty cadet placements each year across its global fleet, exclusively to AMC students – the only maritime institution in Australia offering a university-level degree.

“It is often a challenge for Australian cadets to secure sea time. I am incredibly proud of this initiative as we open our fleet to these future maritime professionals” said Deb Corbett, CEO of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP Asia Pacific. “This program allows us to extend the company's ethos beyond our community of travellers and give back to the Australian seafaring community in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Cadets can now apply for deck and engine positions to complete their required internships across the Group's award-winning, environmentally advanced fleet. These ships navigate some of the world's most remote and iconic regions – from Antarctica to the Kimberley, French Polynesia to the Greek Islands – offering an extraordinary training ground for emerging talent. 
Gaining experience in navigating the challenges of polar icy regions and the tidal variances of tropical areas will provide cadets with invaluable training.

AMC's Principal Mal Wise, is highly enthusiastic about the opportunity presented to his students, saying “For those students embarking upon a seagoing career, the largest hurdle is often finding an initial sea service opportunity. The cadetships offered by PONANT EXPLORATIONS are simply fantastic, in that they not only present that opportunity, but do so within a modern and safe working environment, along with the adventure of a maritime career on a global scale.”

Operating under the French flag, the Group's vessels are held to some of the highest maritime safety, environmental, and social standards in the world. For AMC cadets, it is not just an opportunity to clock sea time; it is a launchpad to a world-class career.

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ABOUT PONANT EXPLORATIONS 

PONANT EXPLORATIONS has been committed to more responsible tourism, and purposeful voyages of exploration for over 35 years. Aboard a fleet of 13 French-flagged small ships, fitted with the latest environmental technologies, the journey of exploration is always elegant, authentic and inspiring. For more information www.ponant.com

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