French cruise operator PONANT is to assist in the development of ship routing optimisation systems using artificial intelligence, through a collaboration with start-up Marine Weather Intelligence (MWI).
Founded in 2023 and based in Auray in France, Marine Weather Intelligence (MWI) focuses on marine weather and routing technologies, with systems incorporating artificial intelligence to improve safety, optimise routes and reduce fuel consumption.
The collaboration agreement with PONANT will see MWI teams given access to data collected on board the polar exploration vessel Le Commandant Charcot as part of the PONANT Science programme.
The ship has a variety of measuring instruments installed on board and is regularly deployed in difficult-to-access areas, generating data that can be used by MWI’s AI to develop and evaluate its routing applications.
The strategic partnership project has been provided with financial support from the Brittany Region, through its Inno Expé Numérique scheme.



