Norton Rose Fulbright advises lenders on financing of two Orient Express cruise ships

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised the lenders on the financing of two cruise ships in the context of the strategic agreement between Accor and LVMH to accelerate the development of the Orient Express brand.

Since its acquisition by Accor in 2022, Orient Express is developing new ventures for trains, hotels and sailing ships. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, LVMH will be joining forces with Accor through a strategic investment in the Orient Express brand, in the company that will operate the future hotels and trains, and in the entity that will own two cruise ships with innovative wind propulsion.

The next steps in this development are the renaissance of an historic train, the opening of the first Orient Express brand hotels in Rome and Venice and the launch of the first Orient Express sailing ship, currently under construction at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, France. Due to be delivered and launched in 2026, the Orient Express Silenseas Corinthia, with hybrid propulsion (gas and sails) is set to be announced as the world's largest cruise sailing ship.

Accor and LVMH were respectively advised on the financing aspects of the two cruise ships, by Stephenson Harwood and A&O Shearman.

The Paris-based Norton Rose Fulbright team advising the banking pool was led by partner and Global Co-Head of Transport Christine Ezcutari, assisted by senior associate Ayaka Millet and associates Lorraine Viard and Emilie Jacques.