CHINA'S cruise market grew strongly last year but the government should map out a national plan to utilize tourism resources and coordinate developments more efficiently to ensure sustainable growth, according to a new report.

There were 285 international cruise ship arrivals on the Chinese mainland last year, up 8.8 percent from 2011, according to the annual China Cruise Industry Development Report released yesterday. Passenger arrivals and departures via cruise ships jumped 31.9 percent to 660,000 last year, of which 240,000 were international visitors.

"China's new leadership has expressed support to the emerging cruise economy, and the country needs to plan to best utilize tourism resources and coordinate developments among different regions," said Zheng Weihang, secretary general of the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association, which compiled the report.

He warned that as more Chinese cities build and expand cruise ports, a new round of vicious and inefficient competition will be inevitable without national-level planning and coordination.

Xiao Baojia, vice president of Shanghai Maritime University, agreed, adding that China should also do more to help develop domestic cruise operators.

Shanghai has been developing its cruise industry in the North Bund area of its Hongkou District.