The Orient Express Corinthian will be the first ship in the new Orient Express Silenseas fleet.[9]OE Corinthian marks the return of the Orient Express brand to maritime operations, 140 years after the launch of its first trains.[10]
Background and design
Partnership and genesis
In 2022, LVMH signed a partnership agreement with Accor to develop the Orient Express brand in the luxury tourism sector. LVMH acquired a significant stake in Orient Express subsidiary, though the exact amount and threshold were not disclosed. Together, the two groups aim to deploy luxury trains, hotels, and sailing cruise ships under the Orient Express brand.[11]
Ship specifications
With a length of 220 metres (721ft 9in), the Orient Express Corinthianis the world's largest sailing ship. The vessel features only 54 suites accommodating 110 passengers, prioritizing an ultra-luxury and exclusive experience. Each suite offers panoramic ocean views, with spaces ranging up to 70 square metres (750sqft). The presidential suite spans 900 square metres (9,700sqft).[8]
Innovative propulsion system
The Orient Express Corinthian is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system combining:[6]
Three masts equipped with SolidSail rigid sails with its AeolDrive system
Sail height of 100 metres (330ft)
Total sail area of 4,500 square metres (48,000sqft) (1,500 square metres (16,000sqft) per sail)
Auxiliary liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for adverse weather conditions and maneuvering
The vessel is also designed to accommodate hydrogen propulsion, a technology currently under development, as part of a sustainable ecological transition initiative.[7]
The SolidSail technology is the result of more than a decade of research and development by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The concept is protected by two patents filed in 2009 and 2017. This innovation is part of the Silenseas project, launched in the 2010s to develop a new range of ecological sailing cruise ships.[5]
SolidSail represents a major technological breakthrough in sail propulsion. Unlike traditional fabric sails, these rigid sails are composed of panels made of fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy resin, framed by carbon battens. This design gives SolidSail a resistance ten times greater than conventional sails, with an estimated lifespan of 20 years—five times that of a fabric sail of equivalent dimensions.[12]
History
Construction
Construction of the Orient Express Corinthian began in January 2025 at Chantiers de l'Atlantique with the traditional steel-cutting ceremony.[1] The vessel has been moored at the Penhoët quay since mid-June 2025 for the outfitting phase.
On 10 December 2025, the sailing ship left Saint-Nazaire for three days of sea trials, an operation conducted by Loire pilots. The vessel transited through the Joubert dock before heading to the open sea.[13] The maiden voyage is scheduled for 2026.[3]
Future Silenseas-class ships
A second vessel in the Silenseas class is planned for delivery in April 2027, and the company is considering expanding its fleet to four ships if successful. This second vessel, expected to be named Orient Express Olympian (B36), is currently under construction with its first steel cut on 30 January 2025 and keel laying on 19 November 2025.[14]
Environmental commitment
The Orient Express Corinthian is considered by Chantiers de l'Atlantique to be one of the most ecological ships in maritime history. Its hybrid design aims to limit environmental impact by combining sail propulsion and natural gas. The ship is also prepared to accommodate future hydrogen propulsion, forming part of the cruise sector's ecological transition.[7]
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