Construction of China’s Adora Flora City cruise ship enters floating stage

China’s ambitious shipbuilding project reached a significant milestone on Monday as the Adora Flora City, the nation’s second domestically-made large cruise ship, floated for the first time in Shanghai. This development marks a crucial step toward its anticipated delivery in 2026. The floating ceremony, held at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, showcased the progress made by China State Shipbuilding Corp, the world’s largest shipbuilder, in advancing its capabilities in constructing sophisticated cruise vessels.

Milestone in Construction Process

The floating of the Adora Flora City began early Monday morning when water was pumped into the vessel’s dry dock. This stage is critical in the shipbuilding process, allowing engineers to inspect and test the ship’s hull and hardware. Following this floating phase, the ship will undergo outfitting procedures and mooring tests, essential steps before it can be officially launched.

Construction of the Adora Flora City commenced in August 2022, following the success of its predecessor, the Adora Magic City. The new vessel features several enhancements, including optimized designs and increased size. Weighing in at 141,900 metric tons, the Adora Flora City measures 341 meters in length, making it 17.4 meters longer than the first ship. Additionally, it offers 19 more guest rooms, bringing the total to 2,130 rooms capable of accommodating up to 5,232 passengers. The public areas on this ship are also designed to be more spacious than those on the Adora Magic City.

Engineers have noted that advancements in technology have expedited the construction process of the Adora Flora City compared to its predecessor. Once operational, the cruise ship will be based in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, further enhancing China’s growing presence in the global cruise industry.

Success of the Adora Magic City

The Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship built in China, began construction in October 2019 and was completed in July 2023. After undergoing sea trials, it was officially commissioned in November 2023 and has since embarked on over 100 voyages, serving more than 350,000 guests since its maiden voyage in January 2024. This success has set a strong precedent for the Adora Flora City, as China continues to establish itself as a formidable player in the cruise ship market.