Orient Express Sailing Yachts, a subsidiary of the Accor group, celebrates the laying of the keel of its second sailing ship, the Orient Express Olympian, at Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
Following the purest maritime tradition, the laying of the keel marks the beginning of the assembly phase of the Orient Express Olympian. The cutting of the first steel plate had been carried out ten months earlier, on January 30, 2025. This precise maneuver is performed by one of the two iconic gantry cranes at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. It consists of placing the first of the 17 blocks that will form the metal hull of the sailing ship onto the supports.
Once this stage is completed, its construction will continue in the outfitting phase —the installation of all its precious equipment— at a dedicated dock, until its scheduled delivery in the spring of 2027, one year after the Orient Express Corinthian.
This maritime tradition illustrates a shared commitment to excellence and is part of the history of great technological achievements. It also marks the continuation of the collaboration between Orient Express and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, an alliance that pushes the boundaries of exceptional travel and the limits of naval engineering.
This crucial moment is celebrated with the so-called "Coin Ceremony": newly minted coins are placed on the first steel block to place the ship under good auspices during its construction and all its future voyages.
Combining technology and tradition, the Orient Express Olympian will measure 220 meters in length and, along with the Orient Express Corinthian, will be one of the two largest sailing ships in the world. It will benefit from the innovative SolidSail system, developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The SolidSail system aims to reduce atmospheric emissions through three self-supporting, tilting masts. Its 4,500 m² of sail area will allow—depending on conditions—propulsion solely by sail or combined with engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The rigging is fully automated and controlled from the wheelhouse.
Simultaneously, cutting-edge dynamic positioning technology will allow the vessel to maintain its anchored position in bays without dropping anchor, thus preserving the seabed in fragile and protected areas. Routes, calculated using routing solutions derived from ocean sailing, will allow the vessel to fully harness the power of the wind. Together, these features offer the capability to exceed current regulatory requirements for environmental protection.
While the Orient Express Olympian enters the construction phase, the Orient Express Corinthian will set sail in December for its sea trials. It will depart in May 2026 for the Mediterranean and subsequently for the Caribbean. Bookings are now open for the 2026 season and soon for 2027.
Follow cruiseCruisesnews.es news at
