PONANT: Operational Feedback on Waste Valorization and Traceability

PONANT identified a gap between onboard sorting performance and actual treatment ashore. Despite compliant practices, variability in port reception facilities and limited coordination with local operators led to inefficiencies, reduced valorization, and weak traceability after discharge.

To address this, PONANT partnered with Antipollution to conduct a joint onboard mission (Le Dumont d’Urville, June 2025). A combined team assessed sorting, discharge operations, and port processes in real conditions, identifying concrete improvements such as optimized sorting practices, better handling procedures, and stronger alignment with local treatment capacities.

The mission delivered actionable recommendations, improving sorting efficiency and coordination while enhancing understanding of local constraints. This approach enabled the valorization of nearly 40% of the waste. As noted by Wassim Daoud, Head of Sustainability at PONANT: “Ensuring continuity between onboard practices and onshore treatment is key to achieving real waste valorization outcomes.”

Key challenges included aligning stakeholders and adapting to local infrastructure limitations, requiring a balance between standardization and flexibility and continued collaboration to ensure long-term impact.