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The Natural Gas-Powered Sailing Boat Project Was Developed By The Architectural Company Stirling Design International, Together With Chantiers de l’Atlantique And Hetland Maritime
The Orient Express, part of the hotel conglomerate Accor, based in Paris, revealed the world’s largest sailing boat, wind-assisted, which will also operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The project was developed in cooperation with fellow countryman Chantiers de l’Atlantique and with consultation from Hetland Maritime. The design company Stirling Design International, based in Nantes, is responsible for the exterior architecture of the ship.
The Orient Express Silenseas, a 220-meter-long sailing boat, will sail with the SolidSail, a system developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 square meters will be raised on a balestron platform, with three tilting masts reaching over 100 meters in height.
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MEET THE WIND-POWERED SHIP
Work Is Underway
Recently, the shipyard based in Saint Nazzaire completed the fabrication of its first carbon fiber mast along with project partners Lorima, Multiplast, Avel Robotics, CDK Technologies, and SMM.
The boat’s hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with a natural gas engine. The vessel, which can accommodate 120 passengers, is scheduled to set 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.
A New Chapter in the Company’s History
“With the Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and translating them 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 announce a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas… the propulsion system, for which we have developed and tested a first prototype, will significantly contribute to the propulsion of the natural gas boat. Combined with a hybrid propulsion system powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Silenseas will become the benchmark in terms of environmentally friendly operation and design,” said Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
The entire boat project will be funded up to 70-80% by commercial banks, with the rest provided by a consortium of partners in which Accor will have a minority stake.
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