ABB and PONANT enter 10-year MarineCare service agreement for increased vessel safety and uptime

• ABB MarineCare to secure safe and sustainable operations of PONANT’s polar exploration cruise vessel Le Commandant Charcot
• Service package includes continuous remote diagnostics, maintenance services and spare parts provision

Le Commandant Charcot, which recently became the first exploration cruise ship to reach the geographic North Pole, has signed up for ABB MarineCare services to ensure safe and sustainable operations. The comprehensive 10-year service agreement provides round-the-clock remote support, diagnostics and condition monitoring, as well as preventive and planned maintenance, and the critical spare parts to sustain the achieved operational efficiency. The service scope also includes warranty for the ship’s energy storage system, supplied and integrated by ABB. 

The key benefits of ABB MarineCare include increased safety, reduced operational, maintenance and administration costs and maximized vessel uptime. Regular maintenance and continuous awareness of asset health status enable resolving possible issues remotely, preventing failure escalation and reducing the need for unplanned activities. Eight ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centers around the world provide 24/7 support ensuring dedicated expertise and fast response times.

“At PONANT, we take great pride in allowing our guests to experience the most awe-inspiring destinations on Earth, secure in the knowledge that their safety and the health of the environment are our utmost priorities,” said Mathieu Petiteau, Newbuilding Director, PONANT. “ABB’s support ensures optimized performance of our advanced ABB technology on a continuous basis, bringing us complete peace of mind and allowing us to focus on delivering a unique travel experience.”

“PONANT’s high standards in safety and sustainability are crucial when operating in isolated environments such as the Arctic and Antarctica,” said Jyri Jusslin, Head of Service, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our MarineCare agreement ensures that Le Commandant Charcot has full access to our remote services wherever in the world she is sailing, and offer the ship’s crew continuous training to help them respond to any unforeseen issues.”

The Polar Class PC2 expedition vessel features the largest energy storage system ever installed on a cruise ship, as well as two ABB Azipod® propulsion units with a combined power of 34 megawatts. With the electric drive motor situated in a submerged pod outside the ship hull, the Azipod® system can rotate 360 degrees, significantly increasing maneuverability and operating efficiency of a vessel and cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

Founded in 1988 by French Merchant Navy officers, PONANT offers a new style of cruises under the French flag with its own concept of sea travel and commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. Centred around sailing to exceptional and unusual destinations aboard refined design yachts, where lifestyle and excellent cuisine take pride of place, the promise of a voyage with PONANT is that it will be truly unique and authentic. For more information: www.ponant.com

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