Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a French shipbuilder in Saint-Nazaire that designs and delivers complex cruise ships for Royal Caribbean, MSC and Celebrity, military vessels for the French Navy, and offshore wind substations for European energy developers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1864
- HeadquartersSaint-nazaire, France
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Chantiers de l'Atlantique does
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a French shipbuilder headquartered in Saint-Nazaire that designs, builds and delivers highly complex cruise ships, military vessels and electrical substations for offshore wind farms. Its cruise franchise spans four proprietary platforms — Oasis Class, Meraviglia/Meraviglia+/World Class and Celebrity Edge Series — built for Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, plus the newly launched Orient Express Corinthian sailing superyacht for Accor's Orient Express brand. The military portfolio covers the BRF fleet of replenishment vessels for the French Navy (built in partnership with Naval Group) and the construction lead on the future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier 'France Libre' under the PANG program. Through its Atlantique Offshore Energy business unit, the company delivers EPCIM turnkey offshore substations for wind developers including EDF Renouvelables, RWE and Ørsted across France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic.
Revenue is generated primarily on a project basis (one-time license per hull or substation, recognized on delivery), supplemented by recurring professional services — ship modernization, energy optimization, compliance/retrofit and In-Service Support — delivered through seven global offices and a 500+ supplier network. Headcount is approximately 3,300–3,800 collaborators (English and French site figures respectively), supported by a naval design office that logs over one million engineering hours per year.
Technology and R&D are anchored in the Ecorizon program (launched 2007) for energy efficiency and emissions reduction, the trademarked SolidSail/AeolDrive wind-assisted propulsion system (1,500 m² rigid sails, tilting carbon mast, AI-controlled trim), SOFC fuel cell integration with Bloom Energy (Blue Horizon demonstrator on MSC World Europa, 60% electrical efficiency), and participation in France 2030–funded consortia (RHODÉ for floating HVDC at 320kV/525kV, Searérité for subsea noise reduction). The combined cruise, defense and offshore energy order book — including Royal Caribbean's Discovery Class, the seventh Oasis Class hull, the PANG aircraft carrier, ongoing BRF deliveries and a pipeline of European offshore substations — anchors a multi-year backlog.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chantiers de l'Atlantique
- Legal name
- Chantiers de l'Atlantique
- Website
- https://chantiers-atlantique.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1864
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a French shipbuilder in Saint-Nazaire that designs and delivers complex cruise ships for Royal Caribbean, MSC and Celebrity, military vessels for the French Navy, and offshore wind substations for European energy developers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chantiers de l'Atlantique industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship and Boat Building (33661)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Shipboard Electrical Distribution, Power Conversion & Automation (IMABAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Propulsion, Shafting & Rudder Repair (Engines, Gearboxes, Thrusters) (IMAJAFAC), Propulsion Drives, Gearboxes & Shaftlines (IMAJAHAD)
Keywords
Where Chantiers de l'Atlantique is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-nazaire
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chantiers de l'Atlantique business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Cruise Ship Construction: Design, construction and turnkey delivery of highly complex cruise ships to major cruise operators including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises. Revenue recognized upon ship delivery.
- Military Ship Construction: Design and manufacturing of complex navy ships including replenishment vessels for the French Navy (BRF program with Naval Group)
- Offshore Electrical Substations: Engineering, manufacturing, and EPCIM turnkey solutions for offshore wind farms through Atlantique Offshore Energy business unit
- Ship Services and Modernization: Energy assessment, optimization, modernization, transformation, maintenance and In-Service Support for both civil and military vessels globally through 7 local offices
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a French shipbuilder that designs, manufactures, integrates, tests, and delivers highly complex cruise ships, military vessels, and electrical substations for offshore wind farms from its Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The company also provides lifecycle ship services including energy optimization, modernization, and maintenance through a global network of offices, alongside proprietary wind propulsion technology (SolidSail) and SOFC fuel cell systems.
Product overview
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a world-leading shipbuilding company offering a comprehensive portfolio of vessels and marine solutions. Core offerings include cruise ships (Meraviglia, World, Oasis, Edge series for MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises), luxury sailing yachts (Orient Express Corinthian with SolidSail technology), military vessels (PANG aircraft carrier France Libre, BRF supply ships), offshore energy infrastructure (electrical substations for wind farms via Atlantique Offshore Energy), and maritime services (modernization, energy optimization, compliance). The company also develops innovative wind propulsion technology (Solid Sail/AeolDrive) and participates in R&D projects for floating HVDC connections and subsea noise reduction. All segments are supported by the Atlantique+ innovation platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Atlantique Offshore Energy (AOE): Business unit dedicated to offshore building for the market of renewable marine energies and oil & gas, specializing in tailor-made solutions for engineering, manufacturing or EPCIM turnkey projects
- Atlantique+
- Solid Sail
- AeolDrive
Products and services
- Solid Sail / AeolDrive Wind Propulsion Technology Advanced wind propulsion technology featuring rigid sails spanning 1,500 square meters with tilting carbon-fiber masts, controlled by an AI-driven AeolDrive system for optimal wind energy capture. Designed for cruise operators and shipowners seeking reduced emissions and fuel consumption on newbuild and retrofit vessels.
- Royal Caribbean Discovery Class Cruise Ships New class of oceangoing cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Group designed to be smaller than the flagship Oasis Class to access more ports. Two firm orders plus options for four additional vessels, with first delivery in 2029.
- Celebrity Edge Series Cruise Ships Edge Series cruise ships for Celebrity Cruises featuring floating architectural design, cantilevered infinity decks, and new-luxury approach including Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel, and Xcite.
- Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Cruise Ships Revolutionary cruise ship class for Royal Caribbean featuring neighborhood-style design across eight unique neighborhoods, featuring multiple dining, entertainment, and recreational venues. Includes Oasis of the Seas through the seventh Oasis Class ship under construction.
- MSC Cruises Meraviglia / Meraviglia+ Class Ships Series of cruise ships for MSC Cruises featuring optimized hull and propulsion systems for energy efficiency, Cirque du Soleil entertainment venue, Super Amusement Park, Aqua Park, and patented heat recovery system.
- MSC Cruises World Class LNG-Powered Cruise Ships Next-generation LNG-powered cruise ship platform for MSC Cruises featuring SOFC fuel cell technology (from Bloom Energy), Y-shaped aft design with 104-meter Europa Promenade, and advanced environmental technologies.
- Orient Express Corinthian Sailing Yacht World's largest sailing cruise yacht at 220 meters, featuring SolidSail rigid sail technology, Wärtsilä dual-fuel hybrid engines compatible with LNG and future green hydrogen, AI-controlled sail systems, and dynamic positioning. Built for the Orient Express Sailing Yachts brand of Accor.
- Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Superyachts Ultra-luxury superyachts for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection featuring LNG dual-fuel propulsion, 228 suites each with private terrace, highest space ratios at sea, nearly 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio.
- BRF (Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force) Naval Replenishment Ships Naval logistic support ships for the French Navy under the FLOTLOG program. Designed for long-term support missions with advanced refueling and combat systems.
- Offshore Wind Electrical Substations (Atlantique Offshore Energy) Engineering, manufacturing, and EPCIM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Maintenance) turnkey electrical substations for offshore wind farms including HVDC and HVAC solutions, with floating substation technology in development for deepwater applications.
- Ship Services and Modernization (Services BU) Lifecycle ship services including energy assessment, optimization, modernization, transformation, maintenance, and In-Service Support (ISS) for both civil and military vessels globally, delivered through 7 local offices and a network of over 500 suppliers.
- Blue Horizon SOFC Fuel Cell Pilot Plant SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) pilot plant developed with Bloom Energy for LNG-powered ships, achieving 60% electrical efficiency with compatibility for future low-carbon fuels. The 150kW fuel cell system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 30% versus conventional LNG engines.
Quantifiable outcome
- LNG-powered vessels reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to standard fuels
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- WärtsilästrategicTechnology provider for dual-fuel hybrid engines compatible with LNG and future green hydrogen, installed on Orient Express Corinthian cruise yacht.
- BrunvollstrategicNorwegian company providing custom propellers for Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht.
- SealencestrategicSearérité consortium partner providing SubSea Quieter technology using air-inflatable membrane panels as acoustic shields for underwater noise mitigation in floating wind turbine installations.
- EDF Power SolutionscoreSearérité consortium partner for developing subsea noise reduction systems for offshore wind foundations. Project backed by €7.1 million in France 2030 funding.
- Heerema Marine ContractorsstrategicSearérité consortium partner contributing to development of underwater noise mitigation systems for floating wind and jacket foundation offshore constructions.
- MenckstrategicSearérité consortium partner for underwater noise reduction system development in deepwater offshore wind installations.
- RTEstrategicSearérité consortium partner contributing to subsea noise reduction system for offshore wind foundations in French waters.
- SmuldersstrategicSearérité consortium partner for underwater noise mitigation solutions in offshore wind construction.
- Naval GroupcoreIndustrial partnership for construction of France's next-generation nuclear aircraft carrier 'France Libre' under the PANG program. Naval Group leads design while Chantiers de l'Atlantique handles construction. Project estimated at 10 billion euros, supporting 14,000 French defense industry jobs.
- Bloom EnergycoreTechnology provider for SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) technology installed on MSC World Europa as Blue Horizon demonstrator. The 150kW fuel cell pilot plant represents first maritime deployment of Bloom Energy's fuel cell technology.
- ØrstedcoreDanish offshore wind developer ordering electrical substations for Gode Wind 3 offshore wind farm from Atlantique Offshore Energy.
- GE Grid SolutionscoreConsortium partner responsible for high voltage electrical equipment and protection control systems design, manufacturing and commissioning for offshore wind farm substations. Partnership spans multiple French offshore wind projects including Saint-Nazaire, Fécamp, and Courseulles-sur-Mer wind farms.
- SDI (DEME Offshore)coreConsortium partner responsible for transport and installation of offshore substation structures, including offshore pre-piling works for French offshore wind farm projects.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fincantieri: Italy's largest shipbuilder and the closest direct competitor, building cruise ships for Carnival, Norwegian, and others, plus naval vessels. Acquired STX France in 2018, creating overlapping European cruise and defense capabilities directly comparable to Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
- Meyer Werft: German family-owned shipyard specializing in large, complex cruise ships for Disney, Royal Caribbean (Icon Class), and others. Directly competes in the same high-complexity cruise ship segment with similar technological and capital-intensity profile.
- Meyer Turku: Finnish shipyard under Meyer Werft ownership building Icon Class ships for Royal Caribbean and other cruise operators. Functions as a sister-yard addressing the same customer base and ship classes as Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
- Naval Group: French state-owned naval defense shipbuilder and industrial partner on the PANG aircraft carrier program. Competes for and collaborates with Chantiers de l'Atlantique on French naval programs, including BRF replenishment vessels.
- Fincantieri Infrastructure (offshore wind): Fincantieri's offshore wind and substation division competes directly with Atlantique Offshore Energy in European offshore wind farm electrical infrastructure projects, including HVDC platforms.
Broad incumbents
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems: German naval shipbuilder producing submarines, frigates, and corvettes for multiple NATO navies. Comparable in military shipbuilding capabilities though focused on submarines and surface combatants rather than large cruise or carrier vessels.
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries: South Korean shipbuilding conglomerate covering commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and naval ships. Competes in large-ship construction globally though more focused on tankers, container ships, and LNG carriers than cruise vessels.
- Samsung Heavy Industries: South Korean shipbuilder specializing in LNG carriers, drillships, and offshore platforms. Comparable scale in heavy industrial shipbuilding though oriented toward energy and offshore rather than passenger vessels.
Others
- GE Vernova: Partner and technology supplier (via GE Grid Solutions) on offshore wind substation projects. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct shipbuilding competitor, providing high-voltage equipment integrated into CdA substations.
Emerging players
- Italian Sea Group: Italian luxury yacht and megayacht builder with overlap in the high-end cruise yacht segment where Chantiers de l'Atlantique competes via Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Orient Express Corinthian orders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Chantiers de l'Atlantique social profiles
Digital presenceChantiers de l'Atlantique financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chantiers de l'Atlantique leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Chantiers de l'Atlantique funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chantiers de l'Atlantique M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chantiers de l'Atlantique
What does Chantiers de l'Atlantique do?
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a French shipbuilder that designs, manufactures, integrates, tests, and delivers highly complex cruise ships, military vessels, and electrical substations for offshore wind farms from its Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The company also provides lifecycle ship services including energy optimization, modernization, and maintenance through a global network of offices, alongside proprietary wind propulsion technology (SolidSail) and SOFC fuel cell systems.
Is Chantiers de l'Atlantique a public or private company?
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Chantiers de l'Atlantique founded?
Chantiers de l'Atlantique was founded in 1864. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Chantiers de l'Atlantique based?
Chantiers de l'Atlantique is headquartered in Saint-nazaire, France, in the Europe region.
How does Chantiers de l'Atlantique make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cruise Ship Construction is the primary driver. The others are military Ship Construction, offshore Electrical Substations and ship Services and Modernization.
Who are Chantiers de l'Atlantique's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fincantieri, Meyer Werft, Meyer Turku, Naval Group and Fincantieri Infrastructure (offshore wind). Broad incumbents are ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries. GE Vernova is listed as an others. Italian Sea Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Chantiers de l'Atlantique have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
What industry is Chantiers de l'Atlantique in?
Chantiers de l'Atlantique's product category is Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAKAG, Shipboard Electrical Distribution, Power Conversion & Automation, with a secondary code of IMAJAFAC, Propulsion, Shafting & Rudder Repair (Engines, Gearboxes, Thrusters). Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.