Ponant Explorations Group has agreed a deal with D-ICE Engineering to implement its TACTiCS weather routing system across the company’s fleet, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved voyage planning.
The TACTiCS system combines weather data analysis with route optimisation, integrating real-time observations, satellite data and operational constraints such as ETA, restricted zones, and vessel-specific parameters. The system’s modelling incorporates ship physics, environmental factors, manoeuvring, and propulsion.
It is designed to support both conventional and hybrid propulsion systems and has been rolled out on Ponant vessels including the M/S Paul Gauguin and Commandant Charcot, as well as hybrid and sailing vessels such as Le Ponant and Spirit of Ponant.
“TACTiCS has been selected as it was the only solution able to conduct advanced weather analysis and route optimisation. This is essential for crew appropriation and we have really good feedbacks from mariners,” said Guillaume Le Brec, weather routing advisor at Ponant.
The system evaluation process included shoreside trials and onboard comparisons with other systems. D-ICE also provided onboard training and support during deployment, with feedback from crew informing new feature development.
TACTiCS supports post-voyage analysis for performance review and fuel savings calculations, and the company says it is being further developed to support features such as digital twin updates and ice navigation capabilities for expedition cruises.
