Recently, Chantier del 'Atlantis held a steel plate cutting ceremony for the world's largest sailing cruise ship, OE Corinthian, built by Orient Express Silenseas, a subsidiary of Accor Hotel Group in France.
This is the first of the 2+2 wind assisted luxury cruise ship series ordered by Orient Express in early 2023, and also the first cruise ship to be equipped with a Solid Sail propulsion system. The system was developed by Chantier del'Atlantique and was first launched in 2022.
The OE Corinthian will be equipped with three rigid sails with a surface area of 1500 square meters, and three inclined masts with a height of over 100 meters, ensuring 100% propulsion under suitable weather conditions.
Arnaud Le Joncour, Business Director and Project Director of Atlantic Shipyard, said, "This cruise ship is a technological miracle that will completely change the world of luxury cruise ships. The ship will represent the exquisite technology of Atlantic Shipyard and become a benchmark in environmental protection."
It is understood that the Solid Sail system of Atlantic Shipyard is a new type of sail with carbon Flat noodles frame made of glass fiber, carbon and epoxy resin plates, and applied for two patents in 2009 and 2017. The Solid Sail system underwent a one-year trial on the exploration cruise ship Le Ponant in France in 2018. The Le Ponant was a three masted mail ship with over 300 square meters of hard sails installed on board. In March 2022, the system received a principle approval (AiP) from the French Bureau of Shipping (BV).
In addition, this new ship will also be powered by LNG and can use hydrogen gas. The ship is 220 meters long and 25 meters wide, with a total tonnage of 26600 tons and can accommodate 120 passengers. There are 54 suites on board, with an average area of 70 square meters. The most luxurious suite will be the 1415 square meter Presidential Suite, which offers uninterrupted sea views, including a 530 square meter terrace. In addition, there are two restaurants, an outdoor theater, a bar, and two swimming pools.
The OE Corinthian is scheduled to depart in 2026 and will fly the French flag. The second ship of the same series is scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027. Accor Group also plans to launch its first luxury cruise route in the spring of 2026.
English