A major development has emerged in China’s cruise shipbuilding sector: a European shipowner has confirmed that its super residential yacht project will be built at a Chinese shipyard rather than the German shipyard previously announced, marking yet another boost to the competitiveness of China’s shipbuilding industry in the global market.
The project operator, Ulyssia Residences, announced that its highly anticipated large-scale residential yacht, the “Ulyssia,” will be built by China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (CMCS), rather than by Germany’s Meyer Werft, as previously announced. Meyer Werft is renowned for building luxury cruise ships.
According to media reports, the construction cost of the yacht “Ulyssia” may reach as high as $1.5 billion (approximately 10.1 billion yuan).
Ulyssia Residences has announced on its official website several times that this luxury yacht would be built by the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft, most recently in December 2025. The decision to switch to a Chinese shipbuilder now comes as a real surprise.
The news has been confirmed by Alain Gruber, CEO of Ulyssia Residences AG. In a social media post, Alain Gruber announced: “The project is now a done deal, despite many having previously believed it was impossible to achieve. The ‘Ulyssia’ will be built strictly to yachting standards, and the shipbuilder will collaborate with Europe’s leading yacht interior design firms.”
Ulyssia Residences and CMCS have reached a letter of intent regarding the “Ulyssia,” but the construction contract has not yet been formally signed, and CMCS has not announced this order.
According to foreign media reports, CMCS will collaborate with its ship design subsidiary, Deltamarin, to jointly oversee the design, outfitting, onboard systems, and overall construction plan for the “Ulyssia.” As scheduled, the superyacht is expected to set sail on its maiden voyage from Munich in 2031.
The “Ulyssia,” with an overall length of 323 meters, was conceptualized by Frank Binder and designed by Espen Øino. It combines the scale of an ocean liner with the privacy and comfort of a superyacht. The vessel features 122 high-end private residences and 22 VIP suites, complemented by a full range of five-star luxury amenities, offering comprehensive hospitality, wellness, and exploration services. The vessel will also incorporate battery and solar technologies to achieve long-term sustainability goals.
Commenting on the order, designer Espen Øino said, “The ‘Ulyssia’ combines the scale and technical complexity of a large ocean-going vessel with the character, privacy, and refinement of a yacht. CMCS’s technical capabilities, shipbuilding capacity, and innovative approach will ensure the smooth execution of this innovative design while preserving the integrity and level of detail inherent in the yacht’s signature design.”
During the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, Ulyssia Residences unveiled the “Ulyssia” superyacht project for the first time, providing a detailed overview of the vessel’s residential layout, amenities, and global cruising itinerary. Planned amenities include: a yacht club and small marina, a diving center, a Chenot spa and medical center, multiple restaurants and bars, a sports complex, a virtual reality experience center, a theater, a library, an art studio, two helicopters, a luxury tender, and a Triton submersible.
China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Industry Group. Established in Haimen, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, in September 2018, it operates in coordination with China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., which was founded in 2013. China Merchants Cruise has delivered multiple expedition cruise ships, including China’s first entirely domestically built polar expedition cruise ship, and has accumulated extensive experience in cruise ship construction.