Spring returns to the earth, and the exciting sound of steam whistles can be heard from the banks of the Huangpu River. In the shipyard of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the steel giant wearing the name "Aida Flower City" has begun to show its strength. This second large cruise ship independently built by China is steadily approaching the delivery finish line at a speed exceeding the plan. At present, the overall construction progress has reached 92%, which is 1 to 2 percentage points ahead of the original plan, laying a solid foundation for delivery before the end of 2026.

Double leap of progress and confidence

In mid March, we will conduct a floating test, which is a key milestone in the construction of the cruise ship, "said Wei Shengsheng, the head of the Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Cruise Project Department. Leaving the dock means that the main construction work of the cruise ship is basically completed, and it will soon be transferred to the dock for the refined debugging of the entire ship's equipment and systems, making the final sprint for the sea trial at the end of May. Compared to the first ship, the team has full confidence in the construction status of the "Aida Huacheng". It is worth mentioning that the tilt test of the ship will attempt to pass once, which fully proves that the construction progress and status of the second domestically produced large cruise ship are very good, "said Wei Shengsheng. From the difficult breakthrough of the first ship "Aida Modu" achieving "0 to 1", to the steady acceleration of the second ship "1 to 2", Chinese shipbuilders have written a leap with their strength.

A themed technological and cultural boat

The 'Aida Huacheng' is not a simple replication. It has achieved a comprehensive upgrade on the basis of the first ship: the total tonnage has reached 141900 tons, with a larger size and longer hull. More importantly, it has been endowed with a distinct "Lingnan culture" theme, incorporating rich regional characteristics from interior design to experiential facilities. The ship has introduced more advanced technology and AI technology, added multiple room types, and equipped with more immersive entertainment facilities, aiming to provide future passengers with a unique sailing vacation.

In terms of 'hard power', the improvement of localization rate is another major highlight. Chen Jianwei, Deputy General Manager of Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, revealed that the two cruise ships signed contracts and designed the same system at the same time, and the main equipment procurement framework is stable. Based on the experience of the first cruise ship, the team has successfully achieved domestic substitution in areas such as nano insulation materials, some major equipment, and digital entertainment systems, and conducted in-depth research and cultivation of domestic suppliers in the interior field. According to value statistics, the localization rate of the second cruise ship has increased, currently around 35%, and the localization rate of subsequent new ships is expected to achieve a significant increase

Ambition from a ship to an industry

Building a cruise ship is not just about delivering a ship. As a leading enterprise in China's cruise industry chain, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has a more ambitious blueprint. We hope to use the experience of these two ships to master the construction methods and standards of Chinese cruise ships, cultivate the ability of independent design, independent supporting, independent construction, and independent operation, and promote Chinese cruise ships throughout the entire chain and lifecycle. "Wei Shengsheng elaborated on the company's long-term goals. From exploring new orders for domestic and international cruise ships to gradually promoting a mature domestic supply chain system, China is committed to building an independent and controllable industrial ecosystem in the high-end manufacturing field of large cruise ships.

This strength and confidence are also reflected in the overall vigorous development of the company. In 2025, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding will deliver 29 ships annually, with a total of 2.7065 million deadweight tons, exceeding 7 ships and setting a high production record. In 2026, in addition to ensuring the key project of "Aida Huacheng", the company plans to deliver more than 20 ships, including various high value-added ship types such as automobile transport ships, oil tankers, and medium-sized container ships. The total annual output value is expected to exceed 15 billion yuan. At present, the company has sufficient orders and the production plan has been scheduled until 2029.

The smooth progress of the "Aida Huacheng" is a vivid footnote to the transformation and upgrading of China's shipbuilding industry towards high-end, intelligent, and green development. When this giant ship carrying Chinese culture and intelligent manufacturing sets sail, it will sail towards a broader Chinese sea area in the global high-end marine equipment market.Editor/Yang Meiling