Accor is collaborating with Dubai to finance two luxurious superyachts under the Orient Express brand, envisioned to set sail by 2026 and 2027.
- The ambitious project, with a budget of €800 million, is expected to produce the world’s largest sailing ship, the Orient Express Silenseas.
- Construction of these vessels is taking place at France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, enhancing innovation in nautical design.
- Accor aims to finance these ships primarily through commercial banks while seeking additional equity partners.
- Neither Accor nor Dubai Holding have provided further comments on this partnership to the Financial Times.
Accor is actively engaging with Dubai to secure financial backing for crafting two extravagant superyachts under the iconic Orient Express trademark, according to a report by the Financial Times. This collaboration focuses on utilising Dubai Holding, a prominent investment entity of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, to support the project’s funding.
The inaugural vessel, named Orient Express Silenseas, is anticipated to be the globe’s preeminent sailing ship, boasting a length of 220 metres and featuring 54 opulent suites. Each suite promises unparalleled luxury with prices reaching up to €20,000 per journey, positioning the vessel as a pinnacle of maritime elegance.
These state-of-the-art ships are crafted at the esteemed Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. Orient Express owner Accor disclosed its strategic plan to harness wind propulsion via three rigid sails, complemented by a hybrid propulsion system driven by liquified natural gas (LNG). This technological fusion underscores a forward-thinking approach to sustainable luxury travel.
Announced a year prior, the project outlines a financial arrangement where up to 80% of the construction costs are covered by commercial banks, with the balance sourced from a consortium of equity partners. Accor maintains a minority involvement in this consortium, underscoring its integral yet non-dominant role in the venture.
Both Accor and Dubai Holding have opted to refrain from public comment on their partnership discussions, as noted by the Financial Times, leaving industry observers eager for formal confirmations and future updates on this landmark enterprise.
The collaboration between Accor and Dubai represents a significant stride in the realm of luxury maritime travel, with the Orient Express superyachts promising to set new standards of elegance and innovation.
