Shanghai backs cruise sector to lift consumption with new regulations

by LIU Sunan

Shanghai has approved new regulations to support its cruise industry, seeking to turn the sector into a stronger source of consumer spending as the city looks to upgrade tourism and other high-end services.

The Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress passed the rules on Dec. 30, marking the city's first set of local regulations focused specifically on the cruise economy. They will take effect on March 1, 2026.

Between 2006 and 2025, Shanghai handled more than 3,500 cruise calls and over 18 million passenger visits, accounting for more than 60% of China's cruise market, according to XU Jun of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. The city has emerged as Asia's leading cruise home port and ranks fourth globally.

Officials say the move is designed to give the cruise industry clearer long-term rules, following years of pilot programs. Cruise tourism, which feeds into retail, hospitality and logistics, is increasingly viewed by local policymakers to lift urban consumption rather than a niche leisure activity.

Shanghai has introduced several rounds of cruise-support policies since 2018 and hosts China's only nationally designated cruise tourism pilot zone. Measures first tested locally – such as standardized port services, dedicated ticketing rules, model travel contracts, cruise insurance and streamlined clearance procedures – are now formally written into law, offering greater certainty for operators.

A key focus of the new rules is broadening cruise offerings. One provision formally allows "destinationless cruises", which sail without docking at foreign ports and instead offer short, themed voyages at sea. Officials say such routes could help attract first-time cruise travelers and smooth demand during off-peak periods.

The regulations also permit foreign-flagged cruise ships to call at two or more Chinese ports on international itineraries, a change expected to make route planning easier for cruise lines and travel agencies. Approval procedures for such calls will be simplified.

Operational frictions are also addressed. A "commonly used low-risk items list" for cruise replenishment eases restrictions on everyday supplies, helping reduce turnaround times at port.

Beyond the ships themselves, Shanghai plans to upgrade cruise-related areas along its northern waterfront, integrating cruise terminals with retail, cultural and exhibition facilities. The city also aims to capture more inbound spending by making greater use of China's visa-free entry policies and improving clearance, payments and ticketing for international visitors.

Officials say further supporting measures will be needed for the regulations to take full effect. The broader goal is to position cruise travel as part of Shanghai’s wider effort to boost consumption, extend visitor stays and strengthen its role as a gateway for international tourism.