TMC’s compressors picked for ‘world’s largest’ sailing ships

French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique has chosen TMC Compressors (TMC) to supply the marine compressed air system for the two cruise ships the shipbuilder is constructing for Orient Express Silenseas.

As informed, TMC’s scope of supply entails the delivery of a complete marine compressed air system, including service and control air compressors, service and control refrigerant air dryers, and a desiccant control air dryer, for each of the two vessels.

Expected to be the ‘largest sailboats in the world’, the vessels will feature a length of 220 meters, a width of 25 meters, and a tonnage of 26,600 tons. 

The steel for the first ship was cut in April this year. The ship’s hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with an engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The vessel, which will be able to accommodate 120 passengers, is scheduled to set sail in 2026.

The shipbuilder signed a deal with the company for two ships, with the second delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.  

TMC will manufacture and assemble the marine compressed air system at its facilities in the Nordic region and deliver it to Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France.

“At TMC we take great pride in developing and delivering marine compressors with low energy consumption and associated low emissions to air. Our client for this project, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, offers ships with the highest environmental performance. In terms of a supplier-shipyard relationship, I like to think that we are a good match,” said Hans Petter Tanum, TMC’s director of sales and business development.

“Every vessel is exciting in its own right, but there is always something special when someone presents a brand new, large and innovative vessel concept. We are very proud to be involved with these two spectacular, large sailing ships,” Tanum added.