On January 23rd, the cruise ship Viking Sun, run by Viking Cruises, left the Danish port of Skagen and is currently sailing to the port of Valetta, Malta. The final destination for Viking Sun is China, where the company has established a joint venture with China Merchants Shekou.

By moving the Norwegian flag to the Chinese, Viking Sun will be able to sail between mainland ports controlled in China under cabotage rules.

On 25 November 2020, China Merchants Shekou and Viking Cruises announced the formal signing of a joint venture agreement to run a China-flagged fleet of ships offering coastal cruises.

A new joint venture aims to launch a domestic cruise line with destination experience as the center that is intended to provide travelers with a deep interest in nature, history and food culture with in-depth cultural tours. In order to combine the Nordic style with Chinese culture and have a high-end cruise experience, the company will convert Viking Sun logos, catering and entertainment.

“The launch of the first five-star red flag cruise ship of the joint venture will become an important milestone in the development of China's cruise industry. The cruise industry in China has officially entered a period of in-depth market expansion, complete industrial structure, and continuous innovation to drive development opportunities,” stated Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking Cruises.

Maritime Business World