PONANT and APT have been collaborating on the development of expedition sector protocols for the resumption of Kimberley cruise operations, with Ponant APAC Chair Sarina Bratton confirming a “breakthrough” with a state government which could see an announcement about a restart in the next week or so. Speaking on this...
PONANT and APT have been collaborating on the development of expedition sector protocols for the resumption of Kimberley cruise operations, with Ponant APAC Chair Sarina Bratton confirming a “breakthrough” with a state government which could see an announcement about a restart in the next week or so.
Speaking on this week’s Cruiseco podcast, Bratton confirmed the Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) had asked the companies to come up with a plan, and while the Kimberley proposal had been submitted already under the Tourism Restart Taskforce framework (CW 06 Jul), at this stage “we’re not as advanced with the wider cruise sector because we haven’t got a common industry set of protocols that have been agreed at the higher level”.
Bratton also lamented the complexity of approvals required from the federal, state and territory governments.
“I’ve got to say it’s a long hard road…I certainly won’t go to my grave ever wishing I’d put more effort in to try to get us as an industry operational,” she said.
Despite the dire consequences the COVID-19 pandemic has had for the industry, “I think there’s some light at the end of the tunnel,” Bratton added.
She also warned the industry not to be too optimistic at this stage, saying “there’s just such an extreme caution and a low risk appetite within all levels of government, so it’s quite tough”.
Bratton noted Ponant has “COVID-free Le Laperouse and her COVID-free crew are in COVID-free New Caledonia, just awaiting for us to push the button for her to call the Kimberley home”.
On top of that, another Ponant vessel has been earmarked for local operations, extracting her from the Antarctic Peninsula season which will be consolidated among the line’s other ships.
This ship would “call Australia and New Zealand home, by offering ‘bubble expeditions’,” Bratton said.
“We’ve got lots of good plans, I’ve got a few more hoops to get through, that’s all,” she concluded.
MEANWHILE Australian (Pacific) Holdings (APH) Chief Executive Officer Chris Hall also spoke on last week’s Cruiseco podcast, citing plans to expand the APT Kimberley small ship cruise offering further afield.
“We’re looking to extend our cruising program in other places around Australia, so it’s not just restricted to the Kimberley,” he confirmed, with no further details available at this stage.
