Carnival Corporation has announced that its cruise joint venture in China has signed a new memorandum of agreement to order the first-ever cruise ships built in China for the Chinese market.

Today’s agreement updates the terms of an initial shipbuilding memorandum of understanding announced in September 2016, further expanding the cooperation between Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, China’s flagship company in shipbuilding.

In support of China’s larger efforts to prioritize cruise industry growth in its five-year economic development plan, the deal was formalised during an official signing ceremony held today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian president Sergio Mattarella.

Representatives of Carnival Corporation, CSSC and Fincantieri executed the agreement on behalf of Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint venture and the shipbuilding joint venture, respectively.

As part of the new deal, Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint venture in China agreed to order two new cruise ships to be built by a China-based shipbuilding joint venture between CSSC, the largest shipbuilder in China, and Italy-based Fincantieri.

The arrangement also gives Carnival Corporation’s cruise joint venture the option to order four additional China-built cruise ships.

Based on its global expertise as the world’s largest and leading cruise company, Carnival Corporation will operate and manage all cruise ships owned by the cruise joint venture as part of its plans to launch the first multi-ship cruise brand in China.

The two new ships will be built with a design tailored for the cruise brand and the specific tastes of Chinese travellers.

Under the agreement, Carnival Corporation will provide onsite supervision and support during ship construction.

The first of these ships is expected for delivery in 2023.

“We are proud to order the first China-built cruise ships and play a meaningful role in developing cruise shipbuilding capabilities for the first time in China,” said Arnold Donald, chief executive, Carnival Corporation.

“This represents another important milestone in building a sustainable and prosperous cruise industry, and demonstrates our commitment to contributing to China become a leading cruise market as part of its five-year economic development plan.”