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Chantiers de l’Atlantique has chosen Brunvoll as the supplier of main propulsion for Orient Express Silenseas’ new cruise ships, which are going to become the world’s largest sailing ships. The order is for two vessels, with two additional as an option.

The delivery from Brunvoll is a propulsion system consisting of a twin-screw configuration with a controllable pitch propeller with a diameter of 3.9 metres.

Controllable pitch propellers

The propellers are designed to be fully feathering to limit drag while sailing. The propellers will have direct electrical drive, where Brunvoll will supply their Thrust-OD Box, which works as a thrust bearing with a hydraulic system for the controllable pitch propellers.

The propellers will have direct electrical drive, where Brunvoll will supply their Thrust-OD Box

Orient Express is known as a pioneer within luxury train travel but has now set out to conquer the seven seas with the Silenseas.

The sailing cruise ships will have some impressive main particulars; a length of 220 metres, three sail masts with a height above 100 metres and a surface area of 1.500 square metres each, and 54 cabins with an average size of 70 square metres.

Different propulsion solutions

Arnfinn Brautaset, Sales Manager at Brunvoll AS., 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 de l’Atlantique on the development and assessment of different propulsion solutions for these spectacular vessels."

Arnfinn Brautaset adds, "A huge thanks from us at Brunvoll to Chantiers de l’Atlantique and the Oriente Express for the good cooperation and team effort put into this project. We hope to see them sailing in the Norwegian Fjords sometime!.

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