MV China Star

Radisson Diamond in 2004
History
Name
  • Radisson Diamond (1992–2005)
  • Omar Star (2005-2012)
  • China Star (2012–2017)
  • Saipan Star (2017)
Owner
  • China Cruises
  • Conning Shipping (manager)
Port of registry
BuilderFinnyards (Rauma, Finland)
Launched20 June 1991
Maiden voyage5 July 1992
Identification
StatusWrecked on Sandbar near Shandong.
General characteristics
TypeSWATH cruise ship
Tonnage20,295 GT
Length131.2 metres (430 ft)
Beam31.96 metres (104.9 ft)
Draught7.6 metres (25 ft)
Decks12
Installed powerWärtsilä engines
Speed14.15 knots (26.21 km/h; 16.28 mph) or 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph)
Capacity354 passengers in 177 cabins or 172 cabins
Crew150 / 200

MV China Star (中华之星) is the world's largest ship with a SWATH design, and the only twin-hull cruise ship ever built.

History

Built as the Radisson Diamond, the ship was built for Diamond Cruise, a conglomerate of several Finnish banks and the UKL-based Carlson Companies (the parent company of Radisson Cruises and Hotels). The ship was built by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland. This 350-passenger all balcony luxury cruise ship was the largest SWATH ship in the world when she was built, measuring more than 20,000 gross tons.

The ship sailed for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises from 1992 to 2005, before being sold to become a gambling ship operator in 2005.

She was sold and has operated in Hong Kong as the gambling ship Asia Star for Asia Cruises beginning in 2005, and the ship was later renamed China Star and was operated by several operators. The ship was laid up in Shenzhen, China on March 5th, 2012

In June 2011, the ship was purchased for $45M by China Cruises Company Limited, the deal being led by Chinese millionaire entrepreneur Huang Weijian, CEO of CCCL. Another $20M was spent refurbishing her. Operation started on March 9, 2012, as the first ship of the new CCCL luxury cruise line.

On September 21, 2022, the Saipan Star was blown aground by severe winds near Shandong. The ship remains abandoned and wrecked on sandbar as of last reported in 2023. N36.845406678937316, E122.20073869376371

References

  1. 1 2 3 "China Star (9008407)". Equasis. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Radisson Diamond
  3. 1 2 3 Asklander, Micke. "M / S RADISSON DIAMOND". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish).
  4. 1 2 "Wenzhou investors launch China Star cruise ship in Hong Kong". 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. 1 2 "China Star". shipparade.com. 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  6. 1 2 3 "CHINA STAR Joins Growing Chinese Cruise Market". Maritime Matters. March 5, 2012. Archived from the original on 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  7. 1 2 3 "New Chinese Cruise Line to Start-Up with ex-Radisson Diamond - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  8. 1 2 "Radisson Diamond (sold)". cruisereviews.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  9. ↑ "Radisson Diamond". Castles of the Seas. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  10. ↑ Slater and Basch (21 June 1992). "New Ship Emulates a Luxury Hotel : The extra-wide Radisson Diamond is spacious enough for a conference center". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "Radisson Diamond | Built by MEYER TURKU". MEYER WERFT.
  12. 1 2 Raemin Zhang (7 March 2012). "First China-owned luxury cruise ship sets sail". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.