China's 2nd homegrown cruise ship floats out, about to undock

China's second homegrown cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, successfully floated out in Shanghai on Saturday after dock flooding, according to China State Shipbuilding Cooperation.

After three rounds of safety inspections, the cruise ship began its undocking procedures on Saturday.

After being floated, the vessel was shifted to a fore dock chamber to conduct an inclining test, a key step used to measure the ship's weight and center of gravity, which are critical for stability and passenger comfort.

The undocking process is expected to last seven days. During this period, the ship will also undergo lifeboat release tests and maneuvering trials inside the dock to verify the performance of its 18 large lifeboats and two rescue boats under both normal and emergency conditions.

The cruise ship is scheduled to officially leave the dock next Friday, after which it will enter the stage of system commissioning and complete interior construction. Sea trials are planned for late May.

The ship was built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. under China State Shipbuilding Cooperation.

The delivery of the cruise ship is expected before the end of the year.

China's 2nd homegrown cruise ship floats out, about to undock

U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 119.38 points, or 0.26 percent, to 46,558.47. The Standard and Poor's 500 sank 40.43 points, or 0.61 percent, to 6,632.19. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 206.62 points, or 0.93 percent, to 22,105.36.

Six of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and materials leading the laggards by going down 1.29 percent and 1.04 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and consumer staples led the gainers by rising 0.94 percent and 0.54 percent, respectively.

U.S. stocks close lower