The keel of the Orient Express Olympian was laid today at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking a major milestone in the construction of the second vessel for Orient Express Yachts, a subsidiary of the Accor Group.
According to a company press release, the event signifies the start of the ship’s assembly phase, following the cutting of the first steel plate on January 30, 2025. A traditional coin ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion, during which newly minted coins were placed beneath the first steel block to bring good fortune during construction and on the vessel’s future voyages.
Shipyard officials said the initial block was positioned using one of Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s two gantry cranes. This block is the first of 17 that will form the yacht’s metal hull.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique is also constructing the Orient Express Corinthian, scheduled for delivery in 2026. The shipyard noted that today’s milestone reflects the continued partnership between Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a collaboration that “pushes the boundaries of exceptional travel and the mastery of naval engineering.”
The yard highlighted several key features of the Olympian, including its SolidSail system, which blends advanced technology with traditional sailing principles. Together with the Corinthian, the Olympian will rank among the largest sailing yachts in the world.
Equipped with three self-supporting, tiltable masts and 4,500 square meters of sails, the SolidSail configuration will allow the vessel to significantly reduce emissions. Depending on conditions, it will operate either solely under sail or with a hybrid system combining wind power and LNG-fueled engines. The fully automated rigging can be controlled directly from the bridge.
Additional technical capabilities include advanced dynamic positioning technology, enabling the yacht to maintain position in bays without the use of an anchor. Routes will also be optimised using techniques derived from offshore racing to maximise wind propulsion. Collectively, these innovations are expected to exceed current environmental protection standards.
The Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in May 2026 and is set to begin sea trials in December, the shipyard added.
For more information on The Orient Express Yachts, please see our website sovereigncruise.co.uk. To book, please call our Luxury Cruise Consultants on 03331 224466.