By
Alex Smith |
China’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company (SWS) has held a coin ceremony for CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping’s first cruise ship. The vessel, which is being constructed as part of a joint venture between Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), will also be the first cruise ship built in China for the Chinese market.
The ceremony was attended by Michele Cecchi, the Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, and Wu Qing, the Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, as well as Lei Fanpei, chairman of CSSC, and Fabrizio Ferri, CEO of Fincantieri China. The event marks the official start of the ship’s construction.
The new ship will accommodate around 4,250 passengers and 1,400 crew members. Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has formed a joint venture with CSSC Cruise Technology Development to grant a technology license of the ship model platform and provide a series of technical services to SWS, including project management activities, supply chain management and sales of fundamental systems and components. The onboard design will be tailored to the specific tastes of Chinese passengers.
Fincantieri’s subsidiary Marine Interiors will also supply SWS with 2,800 cabins for the ship.
“The production is moving forward as planned,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “This is an excellent sign for the cruise industry in China and confirms the strong commitment of Fincantieri, CSSC and the Carnival Corporation in this very difficult moment we are living in. The different teams have worked remotely for months with great ability and flexibility, and today's milestone not only confirms our group's management leadership, but it also demonstrates the determination of the entire sector in tackling the crisis.”