Qingdao’s three berths were inaugurated in 2015, the largest of which can accommodate an Oasis-class vessel.

Qingdao has plenty of room to grow, having hosting 19 ships and 32,000 passengers in 2015, but expecting up to 70 turnarounds this year and targeting 160 calls by 2020.

In addition to the usual itineraries to Japan and South Korea, port officials are developing new itineraries to pitch to cruise lines including sailings to Taiwan and Russia.

This summer, the port save the Legend of the Seas, MSC Lirica, Costa Victoria and Chinese Taishan. A spokesperson said cruise lines can apply for homeport subsidies.

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The 11th edition of the China Cruise Shipping and International Expo is the Asia/Pacific’s No. 1 cruise event, learn more at http://www.ccyia.com/. The show takes place Sept. 23-26 in Tianjin.

Read a detailed analysis of the Chinese cruise market Cruise Industry News Fall/October 2016 Quarterly Magazine, due out Sept. 23.

Visit Cruise Industry News, the official event media sponsor and partner, at CCS in Tianjin