Qingdao Gute Ship Supplies Co., Ltd.

On January 14, MSC Mediterranean Cruises announced that it will start dual-ship operations in China for the first time in 2022. The future flagship, one of Europe’s largest cruise ships, MSC Virtuosa, will enter China’s home port in 2022, with its sister cruise ship. MSC Bellissima, one of the largest cruise ships in Asia, serves the Chinese cruise market together. This will be the first time that mainstream international cruise companies have deployed "dual flagships" in the Chinese market, and it also marks that MSC Cruises will lead the Chinese cruise industry into the "dual flagship era".

 MSC Cruises Mediterranean is one of the leading brands in the cruise market in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Middle East. It was founded and owned by the Aponte family, a legendary sailing family with 300 years of marine heritage. The operation of MSC Mediterranean Cruises in China's home port began in 2016. Previously, it was adhering to the development strategy of single-ship operation and continuous upgrading and product launch. Its cruise liner was upgraded from the original MSC Mediterranean Lyric (65 thousand tons) to the 2018 MSC Mediterranean glory. (138,000 tons), and then to the flagship cruise ship MSC Glory of the Mediterranean (172,000 tons) planned to come to China in 2021. The addition of MSC Mediterranean Huacai (181,000 tons) in 2022 will enable MSC Mediterranean Cruises to achieve substantial growth in capacity and business scale in the Chinese market.

"Double-ship operation is an important strategic upgrade for our development in China. The "dual flagship" layout of Honor and Huacai also demonstrates our sincerity and determination to continue to deepen the Chinese market and move forward with the Chinese cruise industry." MSC Ms. Huang Ruiling, President of MSC China, said: "MSC MSC sees China as an important strategic market. Although the cruise industry is still facing challenges from the epidemic, our confidence in the potential of the Chinese market has not wavered. Looking at the future, we believe that China is still It will be a hot spot for the vigorous development of the cruise industry, and we are also looking forward to bringing new vitality to the market with the "dual flagship", helping China's cruise industry to recover and take off again."

The MSC Mediterranean Huacai is currently under construction at the French Atlantic Shipyard (Chantiers de l’Atlantique), and is expected to officially launch its first voyage in the spring and summer of 2021. With a total registered tonnage of 181,000 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,334, MSC Mediterranean Huacai is one of the largest cruise ships in Europe. Hua Cai is part of the "Legend PLUS" cruise ship of the brand, and has added more cabins and public spaces and more facilities highlights on the basis of its sister cruise ship Honor. Huacai is also by far the most environmentally friendly cruise ship in the MSC Mediterranean cruise fleet. It is equipped with a new generation of environmental protection technology including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and a new generation of advanced wastewater treatment system (AWTS), designed to minimize the effect on the environment.
The naming of the MSC Mediterranean Colors continues the romantic and poetic tradition of MSC Mediterranean Cruises. The Italian name "Virtuosa" comes from "Virtuoso", which means "Master of Music." The Chinese name "Hua Cai" is a pun, which not only refers to the most beautiful and gorgeous passages in the movement, but also contains the vision of "adding new colors to the Chinese cruise industry". In fact, the MSC Mediterranean Huacai has been associated with China since its birth. On February 28, 2019, at the coin ceremony of the Huacai number, it was Ms. Huang Ruiling, the president of MSC Mediterranean Cruises China, who served as the coin godmother. She became the world's first Chinese executive of an international cruise company to serve as the godmother of the coin ceremony.
"Serving as the coin godmother of MSC Mediterranean Huacai is a highlight moment in my career. It not only created the emotional bond between me and Huacai, but also achieved the unique fate of Huacai and China." Ms. Huang Ruiling said: "Today The news that Hua Cai is coming to China is of great significance to our Chinese team. I hope that Hua Cai, which has a strong connection with China, can bring a bright and radiant future to the Chinese cruise market."

The first voyage season of MSC Mediterranean Huacai in China is expected to officially start in the summer of 2022. MSC Mediterranean Cruises will disclose specific voyage plans and more product details at a scheduled time.