Orient Express and Chantiers de l'Atlantique celebrate a double essential chapter in the history of Orient Express Sailing Yachts: the start of construction of the world's largest sailing yacht, the Orient Express Corinthian, and the cutting of the first steel plate for the second ship in the Orient Express brand, the Orient Express Olympian.
During the ceremony in Saint-Nazaire, Sébastien Bazin, president and CEO of the Accor group, Philippe Hetland Brault, president and CEO of Silenseas, the shipping company operating Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, placed the first steel block of the new ship, weighing 606 tons, in the dry dock.
Then, the company and shipyard executives placed newly minted coins on the first steel block as a symbol of good luck for the construction of the ship and for all its future voyages.
Over the next two months, construction will continue to shape the ship's structure, which will be launched in June. Once this phase is complete, construction will continue at an outfitting dock until delivery.
With a length of 220 meters, the Orient Express Corinthian will be the world's largest sailing yacht, equipped with three tilting masts over 100 meters high and an impressive sail area of 4,500 m², allowing it to reach speeds of up to 17 knots using only the power of the wind, exceeding even the speed obtained with an engine.
This innovative ship will feature the SolidSail system, developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique over more than 10 years, which exceeds current regulatory requirements for environmental protection.
Powered by a hybrid liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system, the vessel will feature artificial intelligence sensors that will protect marine mammals by preventing collisions and minimizing underwater noise pollution. Furthermore, thanks to its dynamic positioning technology, it will be able to maintain its location in coves without anchoring, thus protecting the seabed in fragile and protected areas. In addition, the routes will be designed by routers inspired by competitive sailing technologies, optimizing the use of wind energy.
The Orient Express Corinthian will set sail in June 2026, with itineraries through the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Caribbean. The interiors of this exceptional yacht have been designed by Maxime d'Angeac, artistic director of Orient Express.
The ship will offer 54 suites with panoramic sea views, including 6 exclusive penthouse suites on deck 7, with an unprecedented surface area in the cruise industry.
The large number of crew members will allow us to offer passengers an unparalleled luxury experience, with 5 restaurants, 8 bars and lounges, an amphitheater, a cinema room, a recording studio and a state-of-the-art wellness center.
The ceremony of cutting the first steel plate of the second ship in the Orient Express brand officially marks the start of the prefabrication phase of the Orient Express Olympian, whose name evokes the grandeur and ambition of the world's greatest sailing ships.
Designed with the same level of excellence as its sister ship, the Orient Express Corinthian, the metal structure of the Orient Express Olympian will be made up of 80,000 steel pieces, manufactured in the machining workshop of Chantiers de l'Atlantique using three plasma cutting machines that operate continuously.
“With the Orient Express Corinthian and the Orient Express Olympian, the Orient Express legend is ready to sail the world’s most beautiful seas, offering an unparalleled travel experience and authentic exploration of coastal destinations. Inspired by the golden age of luxury travel, the Orient Express sailing ships reinvent movement and cruising comfort, while being designed to meet the challenges of sustainable development today and in the future. A source of pride for us all,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.
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