Historic Keel Laying and Coin Placement Marks Key Milestones for Orient Express Sailing Yachts

(IN SHORT) The keel laying and coin placement ceremonies for the Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian marked a key milestone in the development of the world’s largest sailing yachts. Built in collaboration between Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, these yachts will offer unparalleled luxury and sustainability, with hybrid propulsion systems and advanced technologies ensuring minimal environmental impact. The Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to launch in June 2026, offering exclusive itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean.

(PRESS RELEASE) Saint-Nazaire, France, 2025-Feb-1 — /Travel PR News/ — A dual ceremony at Chantiers de l’Atlantique has set a major milestone for the future of luxury maritime travel. Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, in collaboration, celebrated the official commencement of the Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, with the symbolic keel laying and coin placement ceremonies.

Held just 10 months after the cutting of the first steel plate, the keel laying ceremony at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, was attended by notable figures, including Sébastien Bazin, President and CEO of Accor, Philippe Hetland Brault, CEO of Silenseas, the ship-owning entity for Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. As per maritime tradition, executives placed specially minted coins on the initial 606-ton steel block, symbolizing luck and protection for the ship throughout its construction and on its future journeys.

With the keel firmly in place, work will proceed with the assembly of 13 additional steel hull blocks and three balestron blocks over the next two months. By June, the vessel’s metallic hull will be launched before moving into the outfitting dock for finalization. The Orient Express Corinthian will span 220 meters in length and feature 4,500 m² of sails, distributed across three tilting masts rising 100 meters above sea level. Powered by the innovative SolidSail concept, this yacht will be able to operate solely on wind power under optimal conditions, achieving speeds of up to 17 knots, surpassing even traditional engine propulsion.

Sustainability remains at the heart of the project, as the hybrid propulsion system combines wind energy with a state-of-the-art powerplant running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Additional advanced technologies, such as an AI-powered marine mammal detection system and dynamic positioning technology, further minimize environmental impact by reducing noise pollution and protecting marine ecosystems. These initiatives are key in ensuring that the yacht maintains a harmonious relationship with the oceans it will sail.

The milestones for the Orient Express Corinthian were quickly followed by the steel-cutting ceremony for its sister ship, the Orient Express Olympian, marking the official start of its industrial phase. The cutting of the first of 80,000 steel pieces was a momentous occasion at the shipyard, reflecting the culmination of over a decade of development on the SolidSail concept. With these two landmark projects, Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique continue to push the boundaries of innovation in luxury yachting and sustainable maritime travel.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, expressed excitement over the significant achievements, stating, “With the Orient Express Corinthian and Olympian, we are embarking on a new chapter in luxury travel. These yachts embody the perfect blend of technology, elegance, and sustainability, and will offer our guests an unparalleled way to explore the world’s most beautiful seas while embracing the challenges of modern-day sustainability.”

Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, added, “The partnership with Orient Express has propelled us into a new era of sustainable maritime travel. These groundbreaking vessels, powered by innovative technologies, will not only be among the largest sailing yachts ever built but will also play a crucial role in advancing decarbonization in the maritime industry.”

The Orient Express Corinthian is expected to set sail in June 2026, offering exclusive itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean. Designed by Maxime d’Angeac, the ship will feature 54 suites, including six exceptional penthouse suites, five gourmet restaurants, eight bars and lounges, an amphitheater, a cinema room, a recording studio, and a world-class spa wellness center, all promising a one-of-a-kind luxury experience on the water.

ABOUT ORIENT EXPRESS

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with luxury trains, unique experiences and collections of rare objects. And coming soon: its first hotels around the world, with the opening of Orient Express La Minerva Rome in Spring 2025 and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovanelli in Venice in late 2025. The luxury travel experience will continue with the launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express in 2025, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express sailing yachts, and finally, the return of the legendary Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of the Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine-dining sectors. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com.

ABOUT ORIENT EXPRESS SAILING YACHTS

The result of an exceptional French partnership between Accor, the world leader in hospitality, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a leading global builder of cruise liners, the futuristic Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian, two exceptional sailing yachts boasting spectacular interiors will set sail in 2026 and 2027. Capitalizing on the experience gained in the world of ocean racing, Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian will be propelled by sails designed with the revolutionary ‘SolidSail’ technology: three rigid sails, each spanning 1,500 m², will be mounted with sprit sail rigging on three inclinable masts towering over 100 m high, allowing up to 100% propulsion under suitable weather conditions.

ABOUT CHANTIERS DE L’ATLANTIQUE

Thanks to the expertise of its teams and its network of subcontractors, combined with top industrial technology, Chantiers de l’Atlantique is a key leader in the design, integration, testing and precise delivery of cruise ships, naval vessels, electrical substations for offshore wind farms and fleet services. The company is a pioneer in the challenges of tomorrow. Through research and development, Chantiers de l’Atlantique offers ships the highest environmental performance as well as equipment for offshore wind farms, making it a major player in global energy transition.

Media Contacts:

Orient Express Corinthian:
Fabienne Baudrier
fabienne@sobetween.com

Orient Express:
Stéphanie le Badezet
Vice President, Global Communications
Stephanie.lebadezet@accor.com

Jessaline Fynbo
Senior Manager, Global Communications & Marketing
jessaline.fynbo@orient-express.com

Chantiers de l’Atlantique:
Béatrice GOURIOU
beatrice.gouriou@chantiers-atlantique.com

Source: Accor

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