The design of the sailboat powered by natural gas was developed by the architectural firm Stirling Design International, together with Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Hetland Maritime
Orient Express, part of the Accor hotel conglomerate, headquartered in Paris, unveiled the largest sailboat in the world, assisted by wind, which will also run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The project was developed in cooperation with compatriot Chantiers de l'Atlantique and consultancy Hetland Maritime. Nantes-based design firm Stirling Design International is responsible for the ship's exterior architecture.
The Orient Express Silenseas, a sailboat measuring 220 meters in length, will sail with SolidSail, a system developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Three rigid sails with a surface area of 1.500 meters will be hoisted on a balestron platform, with three tilting masts reaching over 100 meters in height.
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GET TO KNOW THE SHIP POWERED BY WIND ENERGY
Full steam works
The Saint Nazzaire-based shipyard recently completed the fabrication of its first carbon fiber mast together with design partners Lorima, Multiplast, Avel Robotics, CDK Technologies and SMM.
The boat's hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind energy with an engine running on natural gas. the vessel, which will be able to accommodate 120 passengers, is scheduled to sail in 2026.
The shipbuilder has signed a letter of intent with the company for two ships, with the second delivery expected in the first quarter of 2027.
New chapter in the company's history
“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are starting a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it to the most beautiful seas in the world”, commented Sébastien Bazin, President and CEO of Accor.
“With a signed letter of intent to order two ships, Chantiers de l'Atlantique is proud to herald a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas… the propulsion system, for which we have developed and tested a first prototype, will contribute significantly for the natural gas boat propulsion. Combined with a hybrid propulsion system powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Silenseas will become the benchmark vessel in terms of environmentally friendly operation and design,” said Laurent Castaing, managing director of Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
The entire boat project will be financed up to 70-80% by commercial banks, with the remainder provided by a consortium of partners in which Accor will have a minority stake.