Accor to launch world’s largest sailing ship

Accor is heading into unchartered waters with its latest venture – the world’s largest sailing ship, Orient Express Silenseas.

Set to sail in 2026, the ship is the result of a partnership between the French hotel giant and shipbuilding company Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it onto the world’s most beautiful seas,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.

“This exceptional sailing yacht, with roots in Orient Express’ history, will offer unparalleled service and refined design spaces, reminiscent of the golden age of mythical cruises.

“Innovation is at the heart of this ultra-modern ship that will revolutionize the maritime world with new technology to meet today’s sustainability challenges. It is a boat designed to make dreams a reality, a showcase for the best of French savoir-faire.”

The 220-meter-long Orient Express Silenseas will feature 54 Suites measuring on average 70-square-meters, two swimming pools including a lap pool, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.

Orient Express Silenseas will be powered by three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 meters each which will combine wind power with an engine running on liquefied natural gas.

“Chantiers de l’Atlantique is proud to herald a new era in the shipbuilding industry with Silenseas,” said Laurent Castaing, managing director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

“This concept, born in our design offices in 2018, is the quintessence of our savoir-faire in the fields of naval architecture, the construction of sophisticated hulls, as well as the design of luxurious spaces … Silenseas will thus become the ship of reference in terms of environmentally-friendly operation and design.”