Cruise operator Carnival Corp. has signed agreements with China Merchants Group to explore the creation of a domestic cruise line.
Carnival will operate four ships in the region this year, doubling is capacity in the region in just two years, and plans to take a bigger role in developing cruise infrastructure in China.
The line has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Merchants Group to set up a port development joint venture and a separate undertaking which could lead to a domestic joint ship-owning project.
Carnival and CMG will look to form China’s first domestic cruise brand by sourcing new ships made in China.
Alan Buckelew, chief operating officer of Carnival, said in a statement: “We are working with a strategic partner that can help us explore immediate ways to impact cruise growth in China, including the possibility of a new Chinese cruise brand and new destinations.”
CMG is currently building the Prince Bay Cruise Terminal in Shekou, Shenzhen.
It follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding last year with China State Shipbuilding Corp. to jointly build cruise ships in partnership with Italy’s Fincantieri ship builders.
