Keel-Laying Ceremony Marks the Start of Construction for the Orient Express Corinthian Cruise Ship at STX France

On January 31, 2025, Orient Express and the French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique (STX France) celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the Orient Express Corinthian sailing yacht at their shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. The ceremonies highlighted included the keel-laying ceremony and coin placement for the Orient Express Corinthian, along with the steel-cutting ceremony for its sistership, the Orient Express Olympian.

The keel-laying involved the lowering of a massive 606-ton hull block into the drydock. Following maritime tradition, executives from both companies placed newly minted coins on the steel block to wish for good fortune during the ship’s construction and upcoming voyages.

Upon completion, the OE Corinthian will be recognized as the world’s largest sailing yacht, stretching 220 meters in length and equipped with 4,500 m² of sails across three tilting masts, each reaching heights of 100 meters above sea level. The vessel will contain 54 luxurious suites ranging from 45 to 230 m², featuring panoramic bay windows that provide stunning ocean views.

After the keel-laying, the steel-cutting ceremony for the Orient Express Olympian commenced, marking the beginning of its construction phase. This new ship is designed to share similar luxurious elements and advanced engineering features as the Corinthian.

These ceremonial events illustrate the collaborative effort between Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build luxury sailing vessels. The Orient Express Corinthian is scheduled for its maiden voyage in June 2026, with plans for itineraries across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean seas.

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