Genting Hong Kong plans to develop Tai Zi Bay in Shekou, near the city of Shenzhen, into an international cruise homeport, where it will homeport the SuperStar Virgo ship.
Genting has signed a strategic agreement with China Merchants Shekou Holdings to jointly develop the port infrastructure and facilities.
"Having observed the great potential of Shenzhen, from as early as 2002, we operated cruises to Vietnam from the old Shekou Port. We are pleased to see the development of Tai Zi Bay and even happier to ink a strategic alliance," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chief executive officer of Genting Hong Kong.
Genting’s Star Cruises will become the first international cruise line to choose Shenzen as a homeport.
SuperStar Virgo will begin sailing from Tai Zi Bay, Shekou, in November 2016, offering four to seven night cruises to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Sanya.
In 2015, more than 1.2 million Chinese travelers took cruise holidays and this is projected to rise to 4.5 million within five years.
Genting is soon launching Asia’s first homegrown luxury cruise line, Dream Cruises, and also owns luxury line Crystal Cruises.
