Construction has officially begun at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co in Shanghai, China, for the second large cruise ship to be built entirely in China. The ship is based on the successful Vista class ships and will be fully tailored for the emerging Chinese cruise market.
The ship is being built under the ownership of CSBC Carnival Cruises, a joint venture company established in China in 2018 by China Shipbuilding Group, the world’s largest shipbuilder, and Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company. .
Construction of the second Vista-class ship for the Chinese market underway
CSBC Carnival Cruises, a joint venture of China Shipbuilding Group and Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, has officially begun construction of the second large cruise ship to be built entirely in China.
The ship is being built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., with the company behind the original Vista-class ships, Fincantieri, acting as advisers.
Chen Ranfeng, CEO of CSBC Carnival Cruises, said: “The official launch of the second large domestic cruise ship is another important milestone in China’s ambitious journey in building large cruise ships and a sign of CSBC Carnival Cruises’ confidence in the Chinese cruise market. CSBC Carnival Cruises and Carnival Group will continue to work closely with Waigaoqiao Shipyard, Italy’s Fincantini Group and various partners to ensure the successful completion of the domestic mega cruise ship project.
At 142,000 gross tons, with an overall length of 341 meters, the second Chinese-built cruise ship will be slightly larger than her 135,000 gross ton sister Vista-class cruise ships operating for Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises in Europe and the United States. the states.
The 5,232-passenger cruise ship is the second ship to be built by the joint partnership. Late last year, CSBC Carnival Cruises celebrated the launching ceremony of the first shipwhich is currently undergoing internal assembly and will enter service in 2023. The second vessel will enter service in 2024.
Developing a new cruise market
Developing a cruise market in China is high on the list of all major cruise companies. China is widely seen as one of the markets with the greatest growth potential, and if successful, could mean a significant financial boost for Carnival Corporation.
That’s why Carnival Corporation isn’t just helping develop new cruise ships. The ultimate goal is to create a program that includes complete operational skills such as marketing and commercial operations, marine operations, hotel and product management, and new building management.
Yang Guobing, Chairman of CSBC Carnival Cruises, said: “Cruise ships are not only an important carrier of a strong country in science and technology, manufacturing, maritime and transportation, but also an important carrier of people’s good life. We will not forget our original goal to build the localization capacity of China’s cruise industry chain one step at a time and create a sustainable cruise ecosystem.
Further focus will be on the development of a “Crew Apprentice Recruitment Programme” aimed at creating a base of Chinese management and operations staff.
Opening up the Chinese cruise market
In the United States, approximately 14 million people sailed aboard a cruise ship in 2017, aboard one of the 100+ cruise ships that sail annually in the country. In 2017, 3.6 million Chinese sailed aboard one of the few cruise ships sailing from ports like Hong Kong and Shanghai.
By 2030, this number is expected to grow to nearly 10 million people traveling on cruises. With the demise of Star Cruises and Dream Cruises, the cruise industry has a clear path to tap into the world’s largest market.
This is exactly what CSBC Carnival Cruises is aiming for. In addition to the two Vista-class ships, the company also owns Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea and expects many more ships to be built in record time once China reopens.
And that’s the only thing holding back growth right now. With lockdowns still part of daily life in many Chinese cities, the question is when the billions of dollars of investment that Carnival, but also Royal Caribbeanare doing will be paying.
