Costa Concordia salvage to begin
Salvage work on the Costa Concordia is due to start any day and will be the biggest operation of its kind.
Huge cranes and air tanks will be used to refloat the cruise liner.
The work is estimated to cost £190 million and last about a year, said the ship’s operator Costa Cruises, owned by Carnival.
The 290-metre-long cruise liner capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio after hitting rocks on January 13. At least 30 people died and two are still unaccounted for.
Its captain Francesco Schettino faces multiple charges.
"This will be the largest refloat in history but we think it’s entirely possible," said Richard Habib, president of the US salvage group which will begin refloating the ship in the next week or so.
The ship will be stabilised to prevent it from shifting down a rocky ledge and plunging into the deep waters of the surrounding marine reserve.
Once salvaged, the ship will be towed to an Italian port and broken up.
Ian Jarrett
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.
































Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026