Shipyards in China may build cruise ships from scratch in 10 to 15 years’ time, said Dr. Zian Liu, Chairman of Royal Caribbean International Asia.

Before this, they will rely on cooperation with external partners that will build blocks that will ten be assembled at a yard in China, he said.

Mario Zanetti, CCO of Costa Crociere, said that a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and the Carnival group that was unveiled in 2015 remains in place and is making progress to build ships.

Sabrina Bratton, Chair of Ponant in Asia-Pacific, pointed out that SunStone Ships in Miami has built cruise ships in China.

These are expedition type vessels and are being built with the support and to the design of Ulstein, the Norwegian shipbuilding group. A Finnish company is is charge of the fitting out.