After the successful parbuckling that took place on 17 September 2013, the next objective is the refloating of the Costa Concordia before summer 2014 so that it will be ready for transportation to the final port of destination.
From a technical perspective, operations are in progress in Livorno to complete the outfitting of the fifteen sponsons to be installed on the starboard side, and the remaining four to be installed on the port side. The installation of the sponsons, a weather sensitive operation, is planned to start in April 2014. Prior to this, technicians will work on the reconditioning of the starboard side to create a flat and even surface in correspondence of the damaged areas to allow sponsons to be properly aligned.
Tender Process for Recycling
As far as the final port of destination is concerned, a tender process has been initiated by Costa Crociere and its underwriters, in agreement with Italian authorities, through London Offshore Consultants (LOC) to the facility to dismantle and recycle the wreck using a method that offers the best solution in terms of certainty of outcome, environmental and workplace safety standards, in accordance with national and international legislation.
After the initial expression of interest, invitation to tender was sent out to thirteen companies/organisations representing six countries: Italy, France, UK, Norway, Turkey and China. Italy is represented by the ports Piombino, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Palermo.
Costa is currently waiting to receive the tender documents from these candidates and expects the final selection to be completed by March.
Picture by Roberto Vongher
