In 2025, Shanghai’s cruise economy is experiencing strong momentum, with the capacity of the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal continuing to grow and its status as an international homeport further solidified. The port plans to handle 450 cruise calls throughout the year, marking a 10% year-on-year increase. The number of homeported and visiting cruise ships is expected to reach 10, up 25% from the previous year. In the first quarter alone, Wusongkou received 480,000 cruise passengers—accounting for approximately 73% of all cruise travelers in China and reflecting a 3 percentage point increase over the same period last year. Boosted by policies such as visa-free entry for cruise passengers, the port welcomed around 4,800 inbound foreign visitors on March 16, setting a new single-day record for cruise homeports in China. During the May Day holiday, nearly 30,000 people passed through the cruise port in a single day, the highest in three years.

At 6:30 a.m. on June 12, Costa Serena, carrying 748 passengers, safely berthed at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal under the escort of the Baoshan Maritime Safety Administration’s patrol vessel “Haixun 01060”. This marks the Costa Serena’s return to the Chinese mainland cruise market after a six-year hiatus. Measuring 290 meters in length and 35.5 meters in beam, the Costa Serena is the second 114,000-ton vessel in the Costa fleet. With more cruise ships arriving and the summer peak season approaching, Baoshan authorities are taking proactive measures to ensure smooth operations.

Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal Coordinates with Port Authorities to Enhance Passenger Experience

On the morning of June 12, to celebrate the return of the Costa Serena, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal hosted a vibrant welcome ceremony with distinctive Chinese elements. The event opened with a lively dragon and lion dance performance. Accompanied by traditional percussion, the performers displayed remarkable coordination, bringing the spirited dragon and lion figures to life and drawing crowds of tourists who stopped to watch and take photos. The arrival hall also featured intangible cultural heritage displays organized by Baoshan District, offering visitors a glimpse into authentic Chinese culture.

To continually improve the inbound experience for foreign tourists, Baoshan District, in collaboration with port-related support departments, has optimized customs clearance procedures, enhanced supporting facilities, and provided more accessible and thoughtful services. To meet the needs of international travelers, the arrival hall includes one-stop service counters for foreign currency exchange and SIM card purchases, as well as multilingual volunteer guides.

Baoshan Maritime Safety Administration Ensures Safe and Punctual Cruise Operations

To ensure the safe and punctual arrival and departure of cruise ships at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, the Baoshan Maritime Safety Administration has implemented a customized “one ship, one policy” strategy and advanced a comprehensive service framework to guarantee on-time cruise operations and all-around safety support.

“Real-Time Review”—Voyage details are promptly reviewed via the smart maritime platform under the “one ship, one policy” module, allowing real-time tracking of cruise movements and ensuring full preparedness for timely and safe berthing and departure.

“One-Time Boarding”—In coordination with customs, border inspection, and other authorities, a joint boarding inspection mechanism has been established, enabling a one-time inspection per ship to enhance service efficiency and quality.

“Extended Services”—A dedicated cruise crew service center offers appointment-based extended services and onboard service delivery, allowing crew members to complete formalities without disembarking or leaving the customs area.

“Green Channel”—In line with the “five priority” measures for international cruises, green channels are opened to meet the demands of punctual arrivals and departures, especially under challenging conditions such as bad weather or heavy traffic. The initiative is jointly executed with port, emergency, and pilotage departments.

Comprehensive Measures Ensure the Highest Level of Cruise Safety

“Dedicated Service Center”—A dedicated cruise supervision and service center has been established by the Baoshan Maritime Safety Administration, with assigned personnel and responsibilities. The platform uses smart maritime technologies, electronic fences, VTS systems, and CCTV surveillance to monitor both specific points and broader areas, with a focus on dynamic traffic management in waters surrounding cruise routes, to ensure safety at the terminal.

“Precision Escort”—The Cruise Escort Protocol of Baoshan Maritime Safety Administration for Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal standardizes procedures for patrol boat escorts, including route planning, communication, information exchange, and traffic organization—ensuring a safer, more systematic approach to cruise escort operations.

“Technology-Driven Surveillance”—Highlighting the role of drones within a multi-layered “sea-air-digital” cruise escort framework, the port has adopted aerial surveillance and safety monitoring strategies. These include scenario-based drone task planning, air route design, and integrated sea-air coordination mechanisms to maintain constant oversight of waters adjacent to the cruise terminal.

Baoshan launched the initiative to globally promote China’s cruise tourism. Officials from the district’s Party Committee and Government have visited Miami, Berlin, and Genoa to promote cruise tourism. The efforts include meetings with international cruise companies and the Cruise Lines International Association, as well as inviting senior executives to visit Baoshan for site inspections. The goal is to enhance Wusongkou’s global visibility within the cruise network, attract more international cruise lines to increase ship deployment and maximize the number of port calls and itineraries.

According to official plans, Wusongkou is expected to operate 227 cruise voyages in 2025, transporting approximately 1.6 million passengers. On June 24, the terminal will witness a grand occasion with the Costa Serena, Adora Magic City, and Spectrum of the Seas all docking at Wusongkou at the same time. The total number of embarking and disembarking passengers is expected to exceed 10,000.