Carnival to order first ever China-built cruise ships

Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint venture in China has signed a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) to order the first-ever cruise ships built in China for the Chinese market.

The agreement updates the terms of an initial shipbuilding MOA announced in September 2016, expanding the co-operation between Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), China’s flagship shipbuilding company.

As part of the new MOA, Carnival’s cruise joint venture in China agreed to order two cruise ships to be built by a China-based shipbuilding joint venture between CSSC and Italy-based Fincantieri. The MOA also gives Carnival’s cruise joint venture the option to order four additional China-built cruise ships.

Carnival will operate and manage all cruise ships owned by the cruise joint venture as part of its plans to launch the first multi-ship cruise brand in China. It said in a statement that the two new ships will be built with a design tailored for the cruise brand and the specific tastes of Chinese travelers. Under the agreement, Carnival Corporation will provide onsite supervision and support during ship construction.

The first of these ships is expected for delivery in 2023.

“We are proud to order the first China-built cruise ships and play a meaningful role in developing cruise shipbuilding capabilities for the first time in China," said Carnival Corporation chief executive Arnold Donald. "This represents another important milestone in building a sustainable and prosperous cruise industry, and demonstrates our commitment to contributing to China becoming a leading cruise market as part of its five-year economic development plan.”

Fincantieri chief executive Giuseppe Bono stated: “Looking at the global scenario means trying to widen boundaries, laying the foundations to further boost business prospects and access more complex markets. It is not possible to maintain a competitive presence in the medium and long-term without such a commitment. We therefore believe that today’s agreement is an example of industrial partnership that not only reaffirms our leadership in the cruise industry, but also creates a virtuous system among the two countries.”