Carnival has officially launched its joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) under the name CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited.
The newly-formed group is to buy two existing ships from Carnival Corporation’s Costa Group.
The first, the 2,210-passenger Costa Atlantica, is scheduled to be transferred to the new Chinese cruise line by the end of 2019.
Sister ship, the 2,114-passenger Costa Mediterranea, will be transferred at a date not yet announced.
The new venture has also 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.
Being constructed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co in Shanghai, the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2023.
The agreement also gives the option of orders for four additional China-built cruise ships.
CSSC, China’s largest shipbuilder, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri have signed a separate joint venture under which they will provide technical and project service support to SWS throughout the shipbuilding process.
"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," said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
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.
"Our cooperation continues to receive great support from the Chinese government at both the central and local levels. We wish to continue our win-win partnership from today on, to ensure the delivery of the first large cruise ship to be built in China by 2023."
The agreements were signed at a signing ceremony held at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
In June 2018, Costa Group announced it will introduce two new cruise vessels specifically designed for the Chinese market – Costa Venezia in spring 2019 and its sister ship in fall 2020.
