China's first home-built large cruise liner timeline 2006-23: shipbuilding breakthrough charters new waters
China's first home-built large cruise liner undocked in Shanghai on Tuesday after nearly four years of construction.
The 135,500-tonne Adora Magic City, built by a subsidiary of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, will conduct sea trials in July and August before it is delivered by the end of 2023 ahead of entering operation next year.
Italian operator Costa Cruises becomes the first international company to operate regular cruises from China.
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China's market subsequently boomed and witnessed rapid growth in the 2010s to become the world's second-largest cruise ship market after the United States.
State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation launches a programme focused on developing home-built cruise ships and starts negotiations with overseas partners.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation signs a memorandum of understanding with British-American cruise operator Carnival Corporation.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation signs a memorandum of understanding with Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation signs a memorandum of understanding with Lloyd's Register of Shipping, which provides training and advice on design and building of luxury cruise liners.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation signs a memorandum of understanding with China's sovereign wealth fund, the China Investment Corporation, to set up a joint venture investing in the cruise ship industry.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation sets up a luxury cruise ship unit and starts technological assessments and the upgrading of its shipyards.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation and five Chinese banks, including the Bank of China and China Construction Bank, sets up a cruise ship sector fund, with the first phase set to raise 30 billion yuan.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation sets up a joint venture contract with Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation signs a contract with Carnival and Fincantieri to build two 135,500-tonne large cruise ships.
China approves the merger of the country's two largest shipbuilders, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation and the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation.
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation, starts construction of the first large cruise ship, the H1508.
China formally establishes the China Shipbuilding Group.
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding says construction of the H1508 is half finished.
Shanghai's citywide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus Omicron variant delays the construction of the H1508.
Construction of the H1508 resumes after Shanghai lifts its citywide lockdown.
Construction of the larger and heavier H1509 begins. It is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.
H1508 completes tests of its main generator system.
The H1508 is named Adora Magic City.
Adora is the brand name of the cruise operator, while Magic City is the nickname given to Shanghai.
Adora Magic City is floated and then undocked in Shanghai. Over 93 per cent of its construction and over 85 per cent of its interior work has been completed.
Adora Magic City will make two trial trips in July and August, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding confirms.
It will test its engine, navigation and communication systems, vibration and noise levels, as well as its alert and rescue protocols, while also completing a port return.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
