MIAMI — Two ships are leaving the Costa fleet and heading to China to serve that country’s growing cruise market.

The first of these ships, the 85,861-ton, 2,210-passenger Costa Atlantica, is scheduled to be transferred by the end of 2019.

Costa Atlantica’s sister ship, the 2,114-passenger Costa Mediterranea, will be transferred at a date still to be announced.

Both ships are heading to a new Chinese cruise division, CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, the result of a new joint venture between Costa Cruises’ parent company Carnival Corp. and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

 “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,” said Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation. “Together with our partners, we are excited about our ability to launch a new cruise line in China based on existing ships and new China-built cruise ships tailored for Chinese travellers.”