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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced that the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG), which will see the shipping firm play a role the development of the international cruise terminal. The announcement is also positive news for future bunker volumes at the port from the cruise sector.

"The memorandum will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two parties in areas of cruise operations in port, market promotion, staff training and management experience exchange. This cooperation will open more gateways to overseas visitors to Expo 2010 Shanghai and further boost China's cruise market," Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

By leveraging the opportunities brought by China's rapid economic growth and Expo 2010 Shanghai, the strategic partnership between the two parties is dedicated to jointly promoting the development of the Chinese cruise market.

Activities from SIPG include the development of the international cruise terminal with the addition of cruise-relevant retail outlets, market promotion, services as a ticket agent, and operating as a one-stop boarding and clearance service for Royal Caribbean guests.

As part of the new commercial partnership, Royal Caribbean will share its operational experience of managing world-leading international cruise terminals with new staff training and development, as well as key activities to improve the operations and logistics, service quality and infrastructure of Shanghai International Passenger Terminal. Together Royal Caribbean and SIPG are working to ensure that Shanghai firmly establishes itself as a world-class port of call.

Long-term steady economic growth in China has led to a surge in consumer travel demand and an increase in the attractiveness of cruising. Statistics show that between February 14, 2009 and October 11, 2009, passenger volume has grown by 258 percent year-on-year at Shanghai Port. Outbound/inbound passengers and voyage numbers both hit record highs at Shanghai Port during that period. It is forecast that the number of international cruise passengers will reach 600,000 at Chinese sea ports in 2010.

"We are committed to developing SIPG into a world-class water gateway," said Haihu Lu, Chairman of SIPG. "With a rapidly increasing number of cruise passengers, we have strengthened our investment in both infrastructure and management, and further upgraded our facilities and service levels in order to meet the growing demands of this market. Royal Caribbean is one of the world's leading cruise companies and through this new strategic partnership we look forward to sharing their market-leading management and service experience, which will profoundly drive forward the cruise industry in Shanghai."

"Royal Caribbean enters China at a crucial time when the industry is undergoing a period of rapid growth, in fact developing our business in China is part of our global expansion plan," said Michael Bayley, senior vice president of international for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "Such strategic partnerships are an important and valuable element of our activity to increase penetration in the Chinese market."

Dr. Zinan Liu, Managing Director China, Royal Caribbean, added: "We have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial close working relationship with SIPG, and this new formal agreement gives each party a distinct opportunity to enhance the experience of both our domestic and international guests arriving or departing in China."

Royal Caribbean says it has enjoyed a strong reaction to its Chinese port-based 2010 itineraries, particularly in the domestic Chinese market with key cruises over peak holiday times sold out. Cruise options include a five-night sailing onboard Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas from Shanghai calling at Kagoshima (Japan), and Busan (Republic Of Korea, South Korea) available in March 2010, and similar cruises throughout May and June 2010 and with the additional port of call of Fukuoka in Japan also included.

The approaching Expo 2010 Shanghai makes the strategic partnership between SIPG and Royal Caribbean an important one; the 2010 Expo Shanghai is scheduled to attract more luxury cruises to Shanghai, along with increased numbers of international tourists. Moreover, the Expo will also generate a wave of outbound travel to nearby countries such as Japan and South Korea.