Carnival Corporation today announced plans for two joint ventures with Chinese businesses aimed at “launching China’s first world-class domestic cruise brand” in coming years.
Two Memorandums of Understanding have been signed outlining port and destination development & vessel ownership.
Carnival and China Merchants Group (CMG) are together looking to own and operate a fleet of cruise ships specifically targeted to the Chinese market.
CMG is the country’s oldest state enterprise founded over 140 years ago, with its specialisations being transportation and finance.
Under the MoU, new vessels would be designed and built in China, while the joint venture would also look at the possibility of acquiring existing cruise ships.
Carnival and CMG will also look to collaborate on the development of turnaround and transit ports for cruise ships within and around China.
This JV would initially focus on a flagship port called Prince Bay Cruise Terminal being developed in Shekou, Shenzhen province.
The partners would work to have cruise ships sail from Shekou while also developing other cruise destinations across China and northern Asia.
Carnival Corporation chief operating officer Alan Buckelew said the MoU “signifies a great opportunity to take the next step in the future of Chinese cruising, while addressing some key needs for both the cruise industry and its passengers in China”.
The race for market share in China is currently at fever pitch, with Carnival’s major rival Royal Caribbean also carving its niche by positioning ships & launching a new brand in SkySea Cruises. Carnival Corporation is aiming to welcome onboard 500,000 pax embarking from Chinese ports over the course of this year