On March 20, 2026, in front of the 2nd dock of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., 9 tugboats were neatly arranged, waiting for the tide. When the tide level arrives and the water flow stabilizes, a white giant ship with a total length of 341 meters and a total tonnage of over 140000 tons slowly exits the dock - the second domestically produced large cruise ship, the Aida Huacheng, officially leaves the dock. From water injection into the dock to tilt testing, from lifeboat detachment to cruise testing, this sea city capable of accommodating over 5200 passengers has fully entered the dock construction and commissioning phase after completing a series of testing verifications.

Accurately choose the timing of the tide

The most critical factor to consider when choosing the departure time is the tide. The staff chooses to carry out the docking operation at the highest tide level and at the calm tide level, when the water flow is most stable and can ensure the safety of the entire ship. 

After completing the water injection in the dock and successfully floating on March 14th, the Aida Huacheng entered a 7-day out of dock work, and successively completed multiple testing and verification work such as tilt test, lifeboat decoupling, and cruising test, making smooth progress. According to the plan, after leaving the dock, it will enter the stage of dock construction and commissioning, preparing for the subsequent trial voyage at the end of May.

Nine tugboats working together

It is an extremely difficult task to successfully tow a 341 meter long giant ship out of the dock and dock it at the dock. The staff commanded 9 tugboats to tow out of the dock, designated temporary traffic control zones, dispatched patrol boats for alert and guidance, and used drones for comprehensive inspections to avoid collisions between other sailing vessels and cruise ships. With the assistance of 9 tugboats, the Aida Huacheng was moved from dock 2 to berth 4 at the shipyard dock, requiring close cooperation and precise control from multiple parties throughout the entire process. Keywords: New Developments, News and Information, Second Domestic Large Cruise Ship

Smart maritime full process protection

The flow of ships in the waterway near the dock where cruise ships dock is relatively high, and large cruise ships have the characteristics of towering and huge. Safety assurance is crucial. Pudong Maritime Safety Administration has designated a safe operation area through the intelligent maritime system and continuously tracks the movements of ships. The Yangtze River Shipping Public Security Bureau has established an electronic warning zone for cruise ships, which intelligently analyzes the information and navigation dynamics of passing ships, provides real-time warnings, and strengthens the frequency and intensity of patrols in the surrounding waters of cruise ships to ensure stable and controllable water security order. The Aida Huacheng has a total length of 341 meters and a width of 37.2 meters. The ship has a total of 2130 rooms and can accommodate more than 5200 passengers. After leaving the dock, it will lay a solid foundation for subsequent sea trials and final delivery.Editor/Gao Xue