Fincantieri and CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing, extending the industrial co-operation between the two parties to all merchant shipbuilding's segments, including cruise cabins and cruise ferries.
The new agreement foresees the groups extending the current collaboration, counting a joint venture dedicated to the first cruise vessels built in China for the local cruise market and related activities, such as research and development of projects in various shipbuilding areas like megayachts, cruise ferries, cruise cabins, equipment procurement, marine engineering, interior decoration as well as establishing reliable supply chain in China's cruise segment. The parties are free to extend the scope of the new agreement to other areas.
CSSC and Fincantieri will establish a joint working group, formed by 6 members with appropriate technical expertise, 3 chosen by each side. The group aims, by the end of 2018, to conclude the preliminary activities: define potential opportunities for each area identified for collaboration, analyse the market size, identify preferential sales channels and analyse potential partnerships among Fincantieri group and CSSC companies or its suppliers' network.
In February last year, CSSC, Fincantieri and Carnival Corp. signed a binding agreement to build 2 cruise ships, with an option for additional 4, at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding yard. The group signed a letter of intent with CSSC and Shanghai City district of Baoshan for developing a supply chain dedicated to cruising activities, shipbuilding and maritime, as well as a comprehensive agreement for ship conversions and repair with Huarun Dadong Dockyard, specialised in ship refitting and repair activities, aimed at serving China-based cruise ships.