Construction of Orient Express Corinthian Begins, Steel Cut on Second Yacht

Orient Express’ first-ever sailing yacht reached a new milestone in its construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France with the keel laying and coin placement of Orient Express Corinthian. Simultaneously, the two companies celebrated the steel cutting for the second yacht in the Orient Express Sailing Yachts fleet, the Orient Express Olympian.

At the keel laying ceremony, Sébastien Bazin, president and CEO of Accor Group, Philippe Hetland Brault, CEO of Silenseas, the ship-owning and operational structure of Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique lowered the first 606-ton steel block for the new ship in the dry dock.

As part of the longstanding maritime tradition, executives from the cruise company and the shipyard placed newly minted coins on the first piece of steel to bestow good luck on the ship during both the construction process and future sailings. 

Over the next two months, 13 further steel hull blocks and three balestron blocks will be combined to form the ship’s metallic hull, which will be launched in June. Once completed, the ship will be transferred to an outfitting dock for the ultimate phase of its construction until delivery. 

“With Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian, the Orient Express legend is set to sail the world’s most beautiful seas, offering an unprecedented experience of travel and an authentic discovery of shore destinations,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor. “Inspired by the golden age of luxury travel, Orient Express Sailing Yachts reinvents motion and comfort on water while being designed to meet sustainability challenges of today and the future.”

Orient Express Corinthian spans nearly 722 feet long and will have nearly 48,5000 square feet of sails spread across three tilting masts.  The SolidSail concept has been developed over the past 10 years by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Under optimized wind conditions, the ship will be able to navigate under sails only and reach speeds of up to 17 knots, even exceeding the standard engine propulsion speed. 

The ship will feature a hybrid propulsion formula that combines wind power with a state-of-the-art powerplant running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). It will also feature state of the art equipment such as an advanced AI detection system intended to protect marine mammals by avoiding collisions and minimizing underwater noise pollution, and a dynamic positioning technology that reduces the yacht’s impact on the seabed by eliminating the need to drop anchor in shallow sensitive areas.

Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to set sail in June 2026 with itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and the Caribbean. It will feature 54 suites, including six penthouses on deck seven, as well as five restaurants, eight bars and lounges, an amphitheater, cinema room, recording studio, and spa wellness center.