China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has begun sea trials for its first-ever Chinese-built cruise ship, Adora Magic City. With Adora Magic City, China is looking to join Finland, France, Germany, and Italy as the fifth nation building large cruise ships.
Monday, July 17, 2023, Adora Magic City headed out to sea on her own power for the first time. She will undergo a set of sea trials to last nine days. Sea trials are a vital stage in the shipbuilding process before the cruise ship can sail from Shanghai in 2024.
The Vista-class ship, nicknamed Ada Modu, will undergo testing each day while at sea. The shipyard is focusing on technical indicators related to standard certification such as navigation system, propulsion system, fuel delivery, ballast water treatment, maneuverability, and navigation performance. She will then return to the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard where work will continue in preparation of her debut.
The shipyard has reported this is the first of a two-part series of sea trials with the second taking place in August. Two sets of sea trials are a common occurrence for large ships, especially those from new shipyards.
Just six weeks ago Adora Magic City was floated out and since that time she has undergone testing of the watertight doors, certification of fire safety systems, and power systems.
The Chinese shipyard has been working with Fincantieri as technical consultant during construction of their first build. Construction of Adora Magic City began in 2019 with the hull floated out for the first time in 2021. In August 2022, the shipyard began construction of a second, larger ship to be delivered in 2025.
Adora Cruises is a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Carnival Corporation and acquired two ships during that agreement in 2018. One of those ships, Costa Mediterranea, will enter service later this year and sail from Northern China.