Carnival Corporation has announced that its cruise joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) will launch this week. The joint venture, under the name CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, will be a new China-based cruise company that will operate its own fleet to serve Chinese cruise guests by the end of 2019. CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited announced an agreement to purchase two existing ships from Carnival Corporation's Costa Group. The first of these ships, Costa Atlantica, is scheduled to be transferred to the new Chinese cruise line by the end of 2019. Costa Atlantica's sister ship, Costa Mediterranea, will be transferred at a date still to be announced. "A strong and sustainable cruise industry in China" Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, said: "The official launch of our cruise joint venture in China is a significant milestone in the strategic development of a strong and sustainable cruise industry in China.