Viking and China Merchants Group plan to launch a cruise
line for Chinese guests.
China Merchants Group's shipbuilding subsidiaries will
partner with the joint venture to design and build ocean cruise ships.
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen aims to "bring the
Viking travel lifestyle to more Chinese travelers more quickly, satisfying the
Chinese market's unmet demand for a greater choice of sophisticated travel."
Viking operates six ocean ships and 72 river vessels.