Maritime sovereignty : China wants 100% Chinese-made cruises

In an unprecedented strategic offensive, Chinese authorities have formalized a rigorous timetable aimed at nationalizing almost the entire supply chain for cruise ships, a sector hitherto dominated by European expertise.

Chen Gang, president of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and chief designer of the program, has set an ambitious goal: to source more than 80% of the supplies from Chinese companies by 2035.

This deliberate effort aims to replace foreign suppliers for critical components ranging from propulsion and navigation systems to luxury interior fittings and marine engineering components.

The construction of a giant ocean liner is a colossal industrial challenge requiring the involvement of thousands of specialized subcontractors. While the first ships, like the Adora Magic City, relied heavily on imported technologies, this trend is already reversing.

The second cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, recently saw a 5% increase in its local integration.

The approach is intended to be gradual: China is targeting a 50% integration rate by 2030 for its third ship, before reaching the 80% sovereignty threshold five years later.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive industrial strategy aimed at raising the China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) shipyards to the same level of competitiveness as their European counterparts.

To support this expansion, a landmark agreement was signed on March 20, 2026, between CSSC and China Tourism Group for the construction of two new ships, thus providing the necessary order volume to qualify and industrialize domestic suppliers on a large scale.

By securing its domestic market in this way, Beijing is not only seeking to reduce costs, but also to establish itself as the future world leader in cruise ship construction, capable of delivering floating palaces that are « 100% Made in China. »