Orient Express Olympian: World’s Largest Luxury Sailing Yacht Begins Construction with Cutting-Edge Eco Features

Last week at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the assembly of the Orient Express Olympian officially commenced as the first foundational steel block was expertly placed using a towering gantry crane. This initial installation marks the yacht’s formal entry into its build phase—a pivotal moment in shipbuilding that sets the stage for the entire vessel’s structure and future craftsmanship. To bring good fortune throughout construction and future voyages, newly minted coins were ceremonially placed on the first steel block, honouring maritime tradition and symbolising luck for years to come.

An Icon Begins: The Keel-Laying Ritual

The keel-laying is not only about steel and engineering—it’s about legacy. The moment when the first block settles onto gantry blocks marks the official beginning of a yacht’s physical creation. For the Orient Express Olympian, this moment was made even more meaningful with the age-old Coin Ceremony, where newly minted coins are placed on the first hull section, believed to bring luck for the life of the vessel and all who sail aboard her.

Engineering the Unprecedented

This is no ordinary yacht. Stretching an awe-inspiring 220 meters, the Orient Express Olympian will join her sister, the Orient Express Corinthian, as the largest sailing yachts in the world. The Olympian’s hull—composed of 17 interlocking sections—will soon rise, block by block, into the sleek lines and elegant silhouette designed to redefine luxury at sea.

But it’s not just her size that turns heads. The Olympian is at the forefront of sustainable maritime design, equipped with the revolutionary SolidSail system. Three innovative, tilting masts will wield an extraordinary total sail area of 4,500m², offering full wind propulsion or a hybrid mode using clean-burning LNG engines. With fully automated rigging controlled from the wheelhouse and dynamic positioning technology that protects sensitive seabeds, the Olympian is as gentle on the planet as she is grand.

Setting the Stage for Modern Voyages

As the hull of Orient Express Olympian takes shape, construction soon turns to her exquisite interiors—crafted to reflect both maritime tradition and contemporary luxury. Meanwhile, the Orient Express Corinthian enters her sea trials, as she prepares for her maiden season in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, setting sail in May 2026.

A New Era for Legendary Travel

Both yachts will welcome guests to explore the world with Orient Express’ signature blend of romance, adventure, and refinement—delivering voyages where every detail evokes the legendary spirit of this storied brand. With reservations now open for the 2026 season and the Olympian to follow in 2027, connoisseurs of the sea are invited to reserve their place on these remarkable journeys.

Witness the birth of a new sailing legend—where innovation and tradition sail side by side on the world’s most ambitious luxury yacht. Reservations for your grand voyage are open now.