Orient Express Launches Construction of Two Largest Sailing Yachts, Corinthian and Olympian

Orient Express Sailing Yachts and French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique have celebrated key stages in constructing two large sailing vessels. The keel-laying and coin-placement ceremonies marked the beginning of the Orient Express Corinthian, the larger of the two yachts.

The keel-laying ceremony occurred at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, ten months after the first steel plate was cut. The ceremony involved lowering the first 606-ton steel block for the new ship into the dry dock, with executives from both companies placing newly minted coins onto the first piece of steel in line with maritime tradition.

Over the next two months, the ship’s steel hull will be assembled from 13 further steel blocks and three balestron blocks. Once completed, the ship will be moved to an outfitting dock for final construction phases before delivery.

The Corinthian will be 220 meters long and have 4,500 square meters of sails spread across three tilting masts. Under optimized wind conditions, it will be able to navigate alone under sails, reaching speeds of up to 17 knots.

The yacht will use a hybrid propulsion formula that combines wind power with a power plant running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Corinthian also features advanced equipment such as an AI detection system to protect marine mammals and reduce underwater noise pollution, as well as dynamic positioning technology to reduce impact on the seabed.

On the same day, a steel cutting ceremony was held for the second yacht in the fleet, the Orient Express Olympian. The ceremony marked the beginning of the industrial phase of the yacht’s construction, with the first of 80,000 pieces making up the yacht’s hull being cut.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, commented on the occasion, emphasizing that the yachts will offer unique travel experiences while meeting sustainability challenges. He expressed pride in the project, which he described as reinventing comfort on water.

Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, also highlighted the significance of the milestones, stating they marked a major step forward in the decarbonization of the maritime industry.

The Orient Express Corinthian is expected to set sail in June 2026, offering itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and the Caribbean. The yacht will feature 54 suites with panoramic sea views, six penthouse suites, five restaurants, eight bars and lounges, an amphitheater, a cinema room, a recording studio, and a spa wellness center.