A sailing liner. Inconceivable just a few years ago, this somewhat crazy project is about to become concrete. In Saint-Nazaire, Chantiers de l’Atlantique launched construction on Thursday morning of this incredible ship which will be powered by both wind and a hybrid engine.
The cutting of the first sheet metal of the future luxury boat took place under the eyes of Roland Lescure, Minister Delegate for Industry and Hervé Berville, Secretary of State for the Sea.
The two members of the government will have to wait two years before seeing the curious liner sail. “This ship, a technological marvel which will revolutionize the world of luxury cruising, will represent the quintessence of Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s know-how and will be a benchmark from an environmental point of view,” Arnaud Le said in a press release. Joncour, director of the “Orient Express Silenseas” program launched by Chantiers.
To carry out this project, the company was able to benefit from significant support from the State, to the tune of 22 million euros. This aid rewards the technological innovation undertaken by the Shipyards to develop this sail-powered boat. In two years, it will be the first cruise ship equipped with the “Solid sail” system developed by the French company. To move forward, the Orient Express Corinthian will be able to count on its three rigid sails of 1,500 m² each and on a hybrid engine running on natural gas.
An incredible 1,400 m² suite!
Flying the French flag, the 220 meter long ship will carry fifty luxurious suites with an average surface area of 70 m². Ordered by the Accor hotel group, the one which will be one of the largest sailboats in the world will offer a “monumental presidential suite of 1,415 m2”.
It should be able to reach a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h) while saving 30 to 40% fuel compared to a standard engine. The hotel giant has already placed an order for a second ship of the same type.
To carry out this project, the Chantiers have developed the Integrated South Pole (PSI), a new state-of-the-art prefabrication workshop making it possible to limit the movement of metal parts and “optimize flows”. promises the manufacturer.