Page 41: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2018)

China Cruise Pioneer:

Niels Erik-Lund’s Sun-

Stone Ships cut steel on its ? rst new In? nity- class vessel to be built

While China has steadily built shipbuilding market share, cruise ship at China Merchant construction – more speci? cally mastering the logistical complexities

Heavy Industries. While inherent in cruise ship design, out? t and construction – has proved elu- the ships are being built sive. But it appears that Chinese shipbuilders have turned the corner, in China, the project with contracts signed for the ? rst cruise newbuilds. We were in Tianjin, – which could eventu-

China, earlier this year for the 4th Annual China Maritime Finance Fo- ally total 10 ships – is rum for a look behind the covers of passenger vessel in China, present a global collaboration. and future.

“We believe this is the perfect marriage of Euro-

BY GREG TRAUTHWEIN pean cruising expertise with ef? cient and capa- “Here in China we saw an unbelievable opportunity, as it is world class (in China),” a process that, in Reyes’ estimation, ble production in China. a country that has the intention, the interest and the resources is neither short nor straight.

to develop its market for passenger vessels,” said Carlos H. “We started coming to China to understand the market, we

Our Norwegian technical

Reyes, Tillberg & Reyes Group Co., Ltd. “The largest cruise started visiting and establishing relationships with the ship- lines are expanding in Asia, and there is a need for cruise ship yards, understanding their plans for the future for passenger design, and our Finnish building, ship repair and refurbishment in China.” Reyes is vessel construction. They have a clear vision for the passen- interior design will be a partner with Tomas Tillberg in one of the world’s foremost ger vessel market – they understand the increasing (cruise design houses serving the global cruise market, but the orga- demand) in China, as Chinese have developed a ‘taste’ for brought to life by the old- nization’s endeavors span far beyond design, as it operates a cruising which didn’t exist here before.” est, most respected ship subsidiary based in Shanghai, China, which is can help guide He said Chinese shipyards are fully capable of building the cruise vessel owners from start to ? nish, with insight and ex- hull and machinery, but as the cruise design and build is a builder in China.” This is perience in tapping the emerging Chinese maritime ? nance highly sophisticated and integrated process, honed for more market to hands-on contact and full project management with than three decades at the leading cruise ship building ship- the ? rst cruise ship built the yard to ensure that the hotel operations and interior out? t yards in Europe, support is needed from the outset to ensure in China for the interna- are completed to world class standard. “First and foremost, that all aspects of the hotel portion of the program are de- from the owner’s perspective, is proving that the production is signed, manufactured, installed and tested correctly. He said tional cruise market.

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