Start-up, NOR Cruises (Norseman Cruises) has signed a memorandum of understanding for up to five 82,000-ton cruise ships, set to be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, CSSC.
This would represent the first large-ship order from a foreign company for C S S C.
Palmer originally said in 2012, that his Titanic II would be built in China. In 2024 he said that he had been advised that Europe had more passenger ship construction expertise. I would suggest, that Palmer may wish to re-considered, if he can’t find a European shipyard that is not fully booked for years.
Watch on…
Malcolm
Subject Update: September 10th, 2026
Chinese shipyards will deliver at least five cruise vessels in the near future, according to data from Cruise Industry News’ global cruise ship orderbook.
While European builders continue to dominate the market, shipyards in China are moving their way into the cruise market.
SeaDream Yacht Club, United Waterways and Atlas Ocean Voyages (below) announced newbuilds with Chinese shipbuilders this year. In addition is a another potential five ship order from Nor Cruises.
Atlas revealed plans to build a new vessel at China Merchants in January, following a contract signed by the company’s owner Mystic Cruises in late 2025.
Slated for delivery in late 2028, the 400-guest Atlas Adventurer will be the first in the company’s fleet to be built outside Portugal and will feature sails.
After announcing a plan to build a series of coastal and expedition ships in China, United Waterways confirmed that the first vessel in the series will debut in late 2028.
To be chartered to Poseidon Expeditions, the 186-guest ship will be followed by at least four others, which are either contract, financed or in negotiations.(Below)
More recently, in September, SeaDream Yacht Club announced plans to launch its first ever newbuild, the SeaDream III, in 2029. (Below).
While the company didn’t reveal where the 230-passenger vessel will be built, Cruise Industry News understands that China Merchants was contracted for the project.
Two other vessels are also being built in China as part of previously announced contracts: the Adora Flora City and the Aranoa.
The Flora City (below), currently under construction at the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard, will become the largest cruise ship ever built in China.
Slightly larger than the 2023-built Adora Magic City, the 141,000-ton vessel was ordered by Adora Cruises and is scheduled to debut later this year.
Ordered in early 2025, the Aranoa (below) is being built for French Polynesia-based Aranui Cruises at Huanghai Shipbuilding in Shandong.
Carrying both freight and passengers, the 7,000-ton ship is scheduled to enter service in the Austral Islands in March 2027.
(Courtesy of Cruise Industry News)
The WaterWorld YouTube channel – HERE
(Including hundreds of Titanic II, Clive Palmer and other nautical videos)
