Carnival Corporation announced today the signing of a joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), leading to a new cruise line named “CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited”. The new China-based cruise operator will start sailing with two cruise ships currently operated by Costa Cruises. Costa Atlantica, 85.861 tons and 2,210 total passengers ship, will be transferred to the new cruise company by the end of 2019. The sister ship Costa Mediterranea, with a capacity of 2,114 passengers, will be transferred later in a date yet to be defined.

CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited has ambitions to become a big player in the Asian cruise market with signing an agreement for construction of additional two brand new ships. The shipyard Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co will be in charge of their construction, with the delivery of the first unit in 2023. The agreement also offers to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited the option of ordering for a further four Chinese-built cruise ships to meet the growing demand of Chinese customers.

CSSC, the largest Chinese shipbuilder, and the Italian shipyards Fincantieri have set up their own joint venture to provide SWS with the technology platform and to guarantee technical and design support throughout the construction process.

The two new ships will be built to measure for the new joint venture and the preferences of Chinese travelers. As the largest cruise company in the world, with a fleet of more than 100 ships in service and another 22 arriving by 2025, Carnival Corporation will provide its extensive experience in the field for supervision and assistance during the construction of ships.