On April 20, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), held a keel laying ceremony for China’s second domestically built large cruise ship, H1509.
In order to meet the latest International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III standards and the second phase of the Ship Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and other related specifications, the second domestically large cruise ship H1509 is larger and more advanced equipment, compared with China’s large cruise ship. Compared with the first domestically large cruise ship, this cruise ship’s gross tonnage has increased by 0.64 million tons to 141,900 tons, the overall length has increased by 17.4 meters to 341 meters, the width is 37.2 meters, the design draught is 8.17 meters, the maximum draught is 8.4 meters, the maximum speed is 22.7 knots, the number of staterooms has increased by 19 to 2,144, and has increased by 2 sets of desulfurization system and 5 sets of SCR system equipment.
The cruise ship is equipped with a huge superstructure living and entertainment area of up to 16 layers, featuring a large-scale performing arts center, large-scale restaurants, special restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping plazas, art corridors, children’s centers, SPA, water parks and other rich leisure and entertainment facilities. And by optimizing the design layout, the public area and outdoor recreation area of H1509 has reached 25,599 square meters and 14,272 square meters, which further enhances the comfort and experience of passengers.
As an important part of the national brand of Made in China, the large cruise ship project is a concentrated manifestation of China’s industrial and scientific and technological strength in the new era, and a national business card that effectively promotes international humanistic exchanges and showcases the image of a great nation. In 2023, the successful delivery of the first domestic large cruise ship “AIDA Magic City” will not only fill the blank of shipbuilding industry in China, promote the transformation and upgrading of the shipbuilding industry, but also further enrich the realization of the national marine strategy, and the large cruise ship project has become an effective carrier and a wonderful epitome of high-quality development of China’s economy.