Local port officials are working on a new blueprint to boost cruising business on the Huangpu River, hoping to introduce more high-end cruise ships on the waterway instead of the current old yachts simply used for sightseeing.

As a number of foreign and out-of-town visitors take cruise ships when visiting Shanghai, officials said yesterday the city hopes its own cruise service can catch up with the new trend.

"We expect there'll be cruise ships decorated at different levels on the Huangpu River to target various tourists. And it would be better for cruise ships to add more facilities like catering and entertainment," said Xu Peixing, director of the Shanghai Port Administration Bureau.

Currently, nine cruise ship firms operate 23 vessels on the Huangpu. Most of boats have been rebuilt from old ferries or police ships and only offer ordinary sightseeing service.

"In fact, there's increasing demand from local companies for holding conferences on the river. It makes sense to explore this potential and upgrade our services like those offered on the Seine River in Paris," said An Chengyao, another senior official at the bureau.

The new plan will be put in place by the year's end, according to Yang Jianyong of the bureau's shipping supervision department.

In fact, a few newcomers have already touched the city's luxury yacht market.

Jin Mao International Cruise Co Ltd recently entered the Huangpu cruising sector by launching a 50-meter luxury boat called New Friendship.

The firm has spent between 15 million yuan (US$1.8 million) and 20 million yuan to decorate the ship that has been rented from others.

Targeting the high-end market, Jin Mao focuses on big conventions and party events on the luxury cruise and has plans to develop a yacht club.

With its advantage in five-star hotel management, Jin Mao hopes to pioneer the concept of luxury dining and meeting on the river, company officials said.

"We expect to transport world-class service onto the river, creating a floating Grand Hyatt," said Zhou Jin, general manager of the company.

He added their ultimate goal is to introduce about 100 more yachts over the next few years.

With potential high profits and development opportunities in the industry, other cruise operators are also keen to tap the high-end market.

"Although we mainly target the general public, we plan to expand our fleet, upgrade our ships and services over the next three years," said Shao Shen'er of the Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise Co, the first cruise operator in the city.

(eastday.com August 27, 2003)