Second domestic cruise ship slated for 2026 delivery

The nation's second domestically produced large cruise ship will be named and delivered by the end of 2026, according to its builder.

The ship's construction schedule has been largely confirmed, aiming to float the vessel in May next year. That means its construction is at the halfway mark, and it will be ready for undocking in March 2026, Chen Jianwei, assistant to the general manager of China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co, said during a news conference on Wednesday.

A trial voyage of the vessel will start in June 2026 before delivery to its operator by the end of that year, added Chen, who is also the construction director of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding's large cruise ship project.

In comparison with the first domestically produced cruise ship, Adora Magic City, the second vessel has undergone a series of optimizations, and its construction efficiency will be enhanced by 20 percent, Chen said.

While ensuring the quality of the ship, attention will be paid to supply chain development and management, as well as process innovation, Chen added.

The 142,000-gross-tonnage ship will be 341 meters long — 17.4 meters longer than the first one — and 37.2 meters wide. The vessel will add 19 more guest rooms, taking its total to 2,144.

Chen said Adora Magic City, which embarked on its maiden voyage on Jan 1, is currently operating to destinations in Northeast Asia.

In addition to constructing the large cruise ship, the Shanghai-based shipbuilder has a fully packed schedule for this year, according to Zhang Wei, deputy general manager of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.

"We will deliver a total of 24 vessels throughout the year, including container ships, oil tankers and pure car and truck carriers," Zhang said."The number will be one more than that of 2023."

A dual-fuel-powered bulk carrier with a capacity of 190,000 dead-weight tons was named and delivered to its owner on Wednesday by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, taking the total number of ships it has delivered to 562.

Other major shipbuilders in Shanghai have also set ambitious goals for this year.

Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co, a unit of the world's largest shipbuilder, China State Shipbuilding Corp, plans to deliver 24 ships this year, keen to improve revenue, net profit, research and efficiency.

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, is looking to consolidate its position in liquefied natural gas carrier development by delivering up to eight LNG carriers this year. The shipyard plans to deliver 20 vessels in total this year, generating 23 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) in revenue.