Chantiers de l’Atlantique has chosen Brunvoll as the supplier of main propulsion for Orient Express Silenseas’s new cruise ships, which will become the world’s largest sailing ships.
The order is for two vessels, with two additional ships as an option. For each ship Brunvoll will supply a twin-screw propulsion system with 3.9m CP propellers. The propellers are designed to be fully feathering to limit drag while sailing. The propellers will have direct electrical drive, for which Brunvoll will supply its Thrust-OD Box, which works as a thrust bearing with a hydraulic system for the CP propellers.
Orient Express, known as a pioneer within luxury train travel, is now entering the cruise market with the Silenseas. The 54-cabin sailing cruise ships will be 220m long, with three sail masts more than 100m height, each carrying 1500m2 of sail area.
Arnfinn Brautaset, Sales Manager, Brunvoll said: “This project confirms Brunvoll being one of the front runners concerning propulsion design and main propulsion efficiency where our skilled hydrodynamicists have been working closely together with Chantiers del’ Atlantique on the development and assessment of different propulsion solutions for these spectacular vessels. A huge thanks from us at Brunvoll to Chantiers de l’Atlantique and the Orient Express for the good cooperation and team effort put into this project. We hope to see them sailing in the Norwegian Fjords sometime.”
Image: Orient Express Silenseas cruise ship (credit: Chantiers de l’Atlantique)
