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The Orient Express Corinthian carries 9,000 tons less CO2 per year
In a ceremony conducted on April 29, 2026, inside the Joubert dock of the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, the Orient Express Corinthian received its official christening.
According to the official Accor press release, the launch marks the French group’s entry into a new category of maritime luxury.
The vessel is 220 meters long. It features three carbon masts, each over 100 meters high. Each carries a rigid SolidSail of 1,500 square meters.
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As detailed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the hybrid propulsion combines liquefied natural gas with an automated sail system.
As a result, there is an estimated reduction of 9,000 tons of CO2 annually compared to equivalent cruises.
According to the released schedule, the ship left Saint-Nazaire on May 2. It then began its first commercial season in the Mediterranean.
The operation is managed by Accor under the historic Orient Express brand, revived after decades as a railway line.
Orient Express Corinthian inaugurates the Silenseas class with a 220-meter hull
The Silenseas ship is the first vessel of the Silenseas class. Chantiers de l’Atlantique designed the class over ten years of research. The hull measures 220 meters in length.
On the other hand, it displaces 15,000 tons — the tonnage reaches 26,200 UMS when the dagger board is deployed.
Additionally, the ship features four decks and panoramic windows of 3.60 meters. The total capacity is 110 guests in 54 suites.
According to New Atlas, the suites range from 45 to 230 square meters. The crew includes 170 professionals.
Similarly, the design prioritizes the integration between rigid sail engineering and luxury hospitality. Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno leads the culinary operation. The Guerlain group signs the spa.
Thus, the dynamic positioning system allows the ship to remain stationary at sea without anchors.
Three SolidSail rigid sails rotate 360 degrees and generate 100% wind propulsion
The SolidSail technology is the heart of the Orient Express Corinthian. Each of the three masts was made of carbon fiber. The height exceeds 100 meters above the deck.
Therefore, the masts rotate 360 degrees and can tilt up to 70 degrees.
In fact, each sail is 1,500 square meters. To give an idea, it is equivalent to seven stacked professional basketball courts.
In wind conditions of 20 knots, recorded in tests in February 2026, the ship reached 12 knots exclusively under wind propulsion.
In comparison, the traditional cruise burns diesel or natural gas continuously. The Corinthian alternates between sail and hybrid depending on the weather.
Consequently, the savings reach 9,000 tons of CO2 per year, according to project measurements.
- Length: 220 meters (720 feet)
- Masts: 3, made of carbon fiber, over 100 meters high
- Sails: 3 SolidSail, 1,500 m² each (4,500 m² in total)
- Tonnage: 15,000 tons (26,200 UMS with dagger board)
- Guests: 110 in 54 suites of 45-230 m²
- Crew: 170 professionals
Hybrid LNG propulsion sustains the ship when the wind fails
Despite the investment in wind propulsion, the vessel relies on hybrid engines. The system uses liquefied natural gas as the main fuel. The maximum speed under mechanical propulsion is 17 knots.
Subsequently, the combined operation increases the average pace of crossings.
In other words, LNG acts as a backup when the winds drop. It also serves as a complement during port maneuvers.
According to Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the vessel’s EEDI classification is the best ever recorded for the category.
Therefore, it positions the Corinthian above other recent launches, such as the Seri Dian and Seri Dayang by Hanwha Ocean.
Still, liquefied natural gas is a fossil fuel. The estimated reduction of 9,000 tons of CO2 depends on the actual operational regime.
The more the ship uses the sails, the greater the savings measured at the end of each season.
Accor and LVMH bet on sail luxury with 54 suites and Guerlain cabin
The Corinthian leaves the shipyards for Accor. The French conglomerate is led by Sébastien Bazin as Chairman and CEO.
The Orient Express brand, originally a 19th-century railway, was acquired in 2024 in partnership with LVMH. The information is available on the Orient Express portal.
Indeed, “it is the concrete technical response to the challenges of maritime transport decarbonization,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, during the christening.
Bazin reinforced afterward: “With sail propulsion, its spaces, and the unique experience, we respond to a triple challenge.”
Therefore, the ship’s structure reflects the luxury bet. It includes chef Yannick Alléno, Guerlain spa, and panoramic suites with 3.60-meter windows.
Dynamic positioning assisted by artificial intelligence avoids collisions with marine mammals. Additionally, future hydrogen conversion capability is planned in the project.
Why Brazil is still out of the Corinthian’s first route
The commercial schedule of the Orient Express Corinthian for 2026 focuses on the Mediterranean and Adriatic. The season runs from May to October.
The Atlantic crossing is scheduled for the European autumn, heading to the Caribbean in winter.
As pointed out by Cruise Industry News, the first official stop was Lisbon on May 5. On the other hand, Brazil is not on the disclosed agenda.
Ports like Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador receive luxury cruise ships in other operations.
In comparison, the Brazilian market is experiencing a moment of recovery. Other world-class vessels have docked at national ports in recent months, as reported in coverage of the modern naval sector.
Still, the niche of super-luxury sailing remains without regular operations on the Brazilian coast.
Silenseas redefines the luxury segment and pressures competitors to decarbonize
The christening of the Silenseas ship repositions the super-luxury cruise segment. Additionally, Silversea announced the Project Evolution program in parallel.
Royal Caribbean delivered the Star of the Seas in 2026, a conventional ship powered only by LNG.
Thus, the European shipbuilding market found in the luxury segment a high-margin niche. Chantiers de l’Atlantique has been operating in Saint-Nazaire since 1862. It maintains 3,600 direct employees, according to PortsEurope.
On the other hand, the main challenge is to replicate the model. Accor has already announced a second Silenseas ship, scheduled for delivery in 2028. Will other operators be able to economically validate SolidSail technology in the short term?
Next steps: Mediterranean until October and Atlantic crossing in autumn
This semester, the ship is conducting routes between the western Mediterranean and Adriatic. It includes stops in Lisbon, Barcelona, Monaco, Venice, and Greek islands. Subsequently, the Atlantic crossing towards the Caribbean is scheduled for October.
At that time, the operation will be evaluated by two criteria. The first is the average cabin occupancy. The second is the actual measurement of emissions avoided.
Both data will be released at the end of the first full season.
According to the project, the SolidSail system received validation from Bureau Veritas. The certification confirms compatibility with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization.
Therefore, if the technology proves the promised savings, cargo ship manufacturers may adopt a similar adaptation.
There are recognized limitations. The unit cost of the Corinthian was not disclosed by Accor.
Will the cruise segment be able to afford the premium of sail luxury when mass tourism prefers cheap fares? The ship’s first season will provide the answer.
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