- Nor Cruises signed MOU for up to five 82,000-ton cruise ships at Shanghai Waigaoqiao
- The deal covers two ships plus three options, the first large-ship foreign order for CSSC
- Newbuilds would adopt Fincantieri designs according to South China Morning Post
- The Norwegian company has raised limited capital and faces financing challenges in the Middle East
- CSSC also pressing ahead with Adora Cruises order and in contact with Resorts World Cruises
Nor Cruises has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for up to five 82,000-ton cruise ships, set to be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). The deal, announced during a ceremony at SMM Hamburg, covers two ships plus three options, representing the first large-ship order from a foreign company for CSSC if confirmed.
While further details of the project were not revealed, the South China Morning Post reported that the newbuilds would adopt designs from Fincantieri. According to business registry data, Nor Cruises AS was incorporated in early 2023, with an address tracing back to a Regus shared coworking office outside Oslo, Norway. Originally founded as Venera Nor AS, the company offers technical and project consultancy in the maritime industry.
The company’s 2025 annual account filings state that the company has been formed to build a cruise ship but will need to raise capital first, having raised $1.4 million in 2025 with $180,000 in loans from shareholders and $310,000 so far this year with $100,000 in loans. The company reports difficulty raising money in the Middle East due to regional circumstances but believes conditions are improving. The Norwegian company has no registered employees according to its corporate filing, with Terje Berg Adolfsen listed as general manager and Knut Christian Abrahamsen as chair. CSSC is also pressing ahead with an order from Adora Cruises and reportedly in contact with other potential clients including Resorts World Cruises.
