Bpifrance Assurance Export guarantees the financing of the world's largest sailing yacht
On April 29, 2026, Bpifrance Assurance Export had the pleasure of attending the christening of the Orient Express Corinthian, built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a world reference in shipbuilding, for the new cruise company Orient Express Sailing Yachts.
The result of a close partnership between three iconic French players – Accor, Chantiers de l'Atlantique and LVMH – this exceptional sailboat embodies French excellence, innovation and industrial and artisanal know-how.
The construction of the Orient Express Corinthian, the world's largest sailing yacht, illustrates Chantiers de l'Atlantique's ambition for sustainable cruising. The first cruise ship equipped with "Solid Sail" technology developed by the French manufacturer, it features three rigid sails of 1,500m², allowing, when weather conditions permit, 100% sail propulsion and a significant reduction in its environmental footprint.
With 54 suites accommodating 110 passengers, the Orient Express Corinthian will set sail in June 2026, offering the most intimate cruises on the market. Homeported in Saint-Tropez and sailing under the French flag, this project fully affirms the French roots of this new maritime adventure.
Bpifrance Assurance Export reaffirms its commitment to the shipbuilding sector by guaranteeing the financing of the Orient Express Corinthian through its internal guarantee, used for the first time for the acquisition of a cruise ship by a French company. The financing for this transaction was structured by a banking syndicate led by Crédit Agricole CIB.
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