The Qingdao International Cruise Terminal, a historic cornerstone of the city's development and a focal point for urban renewal, is making substantial progress. A recent visit revealed that exterior finishes and interior mechanical installations for the port's training base are nearly complete, with full completion expected by mid-November. At that time, the base's structure will be fully visible. Interior fine-tuning and decor are also underway, currently at 20% completion. The entire project is on schedule to be delivered by June next year, with trial operations set to begin in October.

The Qingdao International Cruise Port Training Base spans 37,000 square meters, bordered by Gangji Road to the north, Gangtong Road to the west, Tieshan Road to the east, and green spaces and the Xinguan overpass to the south. Standing 22.8 meters tall, the facility is designed to house an RCEP International Conference Center, a cultural and commercial experience center, a fusion dining hub, and a rooftop garden. Plans include integrating a variety of features from cultural exhibitions and retail to educational experiences and international dining as part of the project to establish the site as a dynamic maritime tourism and RCEP-focused e-commerce complex that embodies Qingdao's forward-looking coastal aspirations to become an "international oceanic digital hub"

"The ocean is our greatest asset, and the coastline is our prime resource," explained Director Gao Chunyi of Asset Operations at Qingdao Rim Bay Development and Construction. "This area boasts nine strategic kilometers of coastline and the largest undeveloped waterfront land in Qingdao's eastern urban core." The Qingdao International Cruise Terminal Training Base project is currently reaching out to brands in international retail, arts and culture, creative experiences, quality dining, and tourism services, with ongoing discussions with potential partners including a marine cultural center, a global launch and conference venue, an international performance center, tourism-focused retail spaces, a cross-border exhibition and sales hub, and a widely-celebrated international club, among others.

Since construction began in 2020, the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal launch zone has undergone a transformative four-year development. As work progresses steadily, several landmark projects—including the Eye of the World, the Shandong Port Shipping and Financial Center, and the North China International Oil and Gas Center—are set to complete next year alongside the Cruise Terminal Training Base and further enhance Qingdao's profile as a dynamic international port and economic hub.