Royal Caribbean and MSC Mediterranean will return, with the first domestically produced large cruise ship "Ada Modu" making its maiden voyage next year. Cruise | Royal
Cruise ships set sail again, creating a new highlight of Shanghai's economy. The reporter learned from the municipal government press conference held this morning that since the resumption of operations of Blue Dream Star Cruise and China Merchants Yidun Cruise, they have successfully operated 21 voyages and received a total of 26000 tourists. The first domestically produced large cruise ship, the Aida Modu, has successfully completed its first sea trial and will officially make its maiden voyage in 2024. Its design, construction, and independent operation mark the formation of a full industry chain development model for Chinese cruise ships.
Since Shanghai took the lead in operating its cruise home port, it has always ranked first in the country with a market share of over 50%. It is the only city in the country that has achieved full industry chain coverage in cruise ship research and development, construction, operation, and port services, and has become a "national model" for the development of cruise economy. Prior to 2019, Shanghai's international cruise economy maintained rapid and steady development, with international cruise passengers increasing from 26000 in 2006 to 3.78 million in 2019, contributing 5.6% of the global cruise market.
In March of this year, the Ministry of Transport issued the "Plan for the orderly pilot resumption of international cruise transportation". Shanghai actively promotes the pilot program of international cruise resumption, and the overall cruise economy shows a good momentum of accelerating recovery and strengthening momentum. Royal Caribbean International Cruises and MSC Mediterranean Cruises have announced their return to Shanghai in 2024 to start operating at their home port, and their sales are currently good. Haida Luther Adventure Cruise Company has established an office in Shanghai.
According to statistics, since the resumption of pilot flights, the cruise industry has achieved a ticket sales revenue of over 300 million yuan, a consumption of about 100 million yuan in ship supply materials, and driven the consumption of about 3.5 million yuan in duty-free shops at cruise ports. Overall, more than 4000 new jobs have been created, and it is expected to add about 20000 new jobs by 2024.
At the same time, relevant districts have successively introduced supportive policies based on their own advantages. Baoshan District has released the "Baoshan Implementation Plan for Promoting High Quality Development of International Cruise Economy", focusing on creating a "one zone, one port, and two highlands", namely the Shanghai International Cruise Tourism Resort, the largest cruise home port in Asia, the cruise industry cluster highland, and China's cruise ecological innovation highland; Hongkou District has released the "Three Year Action Plan for High Quality Development of Cruise Economy in Hongkou District", focusing on building a high-end cruise hub port, cruise enterprise headquarters base, high-end cruise service environment, and an international level consumption agglomeration area; Pudong New Area has released the "Development Plan for Cruise Industry in Waigaoqiao Area", focusing on creating "one base and three areas", namely Waigaoqiao Cruise Manufacturing Base and Cruise Trade Service Area, Cruise Business Service Area, and Cruise R&D Service Area.