The French hotel group Accor, via its subsidiary Orient Express, has placed an order with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for the first two sailing cruise ships. The vessels will be able to accommodate 120 passengers.
It is a new technology, called <i>Silenseas®</i>. The boats are 220m long, and are surmounted by three giant carbon fiber sails which will make them the biggest sailboats in the world. The sails allow the ships to be able to save 30% on fuel compared to a regular liner.
The mast is 72m high and can tilt 70 degrees for best wind catching. The sails cover 1,500 m2 and are foldable. When the wind drops under 20 knots, the engine has to be started. An engine running on liquified natural gas (LNG). No rolling, thanks to the installation of anti-roll devices.
Their delivery is scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
