HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2012) — Immediately following the Costa Concordia accident Costa Crociere started working to ensure the least possible environmental impact to the waters surrounding Isola del Giglio and to safeguard the island’s business activities and tourism. From the outset the measures drawn up by the company have been shared with and approved by the relevant Italian authorities in the spirit of full, transparent and total cooperation.
Costa has engaged leading international salvage experts Smit Salvage BV to remove the fuel contained in Costa Concordia’s tanks, and has presented a plan to remove other materials and potential pollutants to begin as soon as weather conditions permit. Costa Cruises also is working with the utmost speed on a plan to remove the ship itself — a top priority to protect the environment of Giglio and the island’s tourism industry.
The company has formed a technical committee with representatives from Costa Cruises, Carnival Corporation & plc, Fincantieri shipyard, Italian registry RINA and sector experts, including academics, who will collaborate with the relevant authorities to create a plan.
As articulated in a letter to Costa Concordia Emergency Commissioner Franco Gabrielli, Costa Cruises has invited 10 companies to present proposals for the removal of Costa Concordia’s hull.
The invitation to bid was sent to the world’s leading salvage companies that are capable of performing the work in the shortest time, while ensuring maximum safety and minimum environmental impact. They include:
- Donjon Marine Inc.
- Fukada Salvage & Marine Works Co. Ltd.
- Mammoet Salvage BV
- Nippon Salvage Co Ltd.
- Resolve Marine Group Inc.
- Smit Salvage BV
- Svitzer Salvage BV
- T&T Marine Salvage Inc.
- Titan Salvage
- Tito Neri S.r.l.
Proposals must be presented to Costa Cruises by the beginning of March 2012. The plans will be assessed jointly with the Civil Protection Scientific Committee and a selection is expected to be made by the end of March. That timeline represents the best possible outcome, although given the complexity of the operation, there could be delays.
Source: Costa
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