Carnival Corporation has announced that its cruise joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) will launch this week.

The joint venture, under the name CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, will be a new China-based cruise company that will operate its own fleet to serve Chinese cruise guests by the end of 2019.

CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited announced an agreement to purchase two existing ships from Carnival Corporation’s Costa Group. The first of these ships, Costa Atlantica, is scheduled to be transferred to the new Chinese cruise line by the end of 2019. Costa Atlantica’s sister ship, Costa Mediterranea, will be transferred at a date still to be announced.

“A strong and sustainable cruise industry in China”

Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said: “The official launch of our cruise joint venture in China is a significant milestone in the strategic development of a strong and sustainable cruise industry in China. Together with our partners, we are excited about our ability to launch a new cruise line in China based on existing ships and new China-built cruise ships tailored for Chinese travellers.”

Additionally, CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited announced it has signed a contract to finalise its previously announced agreement to order two new cruise ships that will be built in China and serve the Chinese cruise market.

The two new cruise ships will be constructed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS), a Chinese-owned shipyard in Shanghai, with the first ship expected to be delivered in 2023. The agreement also gives CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited the option to order four additional China-built cruise ships to serve growing demand from Chinese consumers.

“An ecosystem that will nurture the sustainable growth of the cruise industry”

Lei Fanpei, chairman of CSSC, added: “It is a strategic decision for CSSC to enter into the cruise industry in partnership with Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri.

“Through the partnership with leading international enterprises, we will build a whole industrial chain including the cruise ship design and building, operations and supply chain, jointly promote industrial environment improvements and create an ecosystem that will nurture the sustainable growth of the cruise industry.”