Norwegian cruise start-up Nor Cruises has signed a memorandum of understanding with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of up to five cruise ships.
The agreement, signed at the SMM maritime exhibition in Hamburg, covers two cruise ships with options for three additional vessels. The ships will be built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of CSSC, and are planned at around 84,000 DWT.
The project marks an important step for China’s cruise-shipbuilding industry, as it is reportedly the first mid-to-large cruise vessel project at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding involving an international client.
Nor Cruises was established in Norway in 2023. The company has so far remained relatively small, making the agreement a notable international project for the Norwegian start-up.
The deal comes as China seeks to expand its capabilities in the high-value cruise-shipbuilding sector. Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding built China’s first domestically constructed large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, and is currently working on its successor.
