Coast, cruising at full throttle – Italy Today

Costa Cruises welcomes the European challenge in terms of energy policy and the first in the industry to announce the launch of a fleet of four ships hybrid powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The first two will enter service from 2018 under the brand name of the subsidiary AIDA Cruises, the next two from 2019 with the colors yellow blue Coast. Yesterday in Milan the leaders of the company have presented the plan formally defined by the general manager Neil Palomba “multimillionaire” which should include, estimate the experts, investment per vessel 50% greater than those allocated to the latest flagship, the Costa diadem, which cost 550 million euro. Un’onerosità due to the fact that it is tied to that technology and prototypes, already tested on freight traffic of ferries and small radius in Northern Europe.
“The project is part of a much larger order of prototypes Carnival group “, stressed yesterday Palomba,” for a total of nine ships between 2019 and 2022 to be realized between Italy and shipyards Meyer Wertf. This is cutting-edge projects in the name of excellence and Made in Italy “.
For the first two hybrid flagships Costa brand that will take shape at the German Meyer shipyard in Finland, it is called reduced emissions of 90%, a totally redefined layout, space convertible to everyday activities or evenings, and especially a big height: 183 thousand tons, 2,600 booths and 6,600 passengers.
Although Italy is not yet rule on legislation related to liquefied natural gas, the company announced the plan after it is exposed to the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. “The government believes these key investments,” says a ItaliaOggi Palomba. It will now open the whole partners for supplies. Specifically Tom Strang, senior vice president of marine operations for Costa spoke yesterday of the companies already deal Lng “as Shell and GDF Suez (Engie)” but also of “ongoing talks” with several parties.
‘Quality and sustainability are the two main drivers of the company “, said Strang,” the gas is safe and clean, but above all we must understand that a ship built now will last until at least 2040. We believe that natural gas is the future for the world cruises ».
a marketing campaign on turning green Costa to wait until 2017-2018, when it will be physically sold by tour operators traveling on new ships gas. And Palomba said yesterday that the first flagship Lng “will target routes of the western Mediterranean departing from the port of Savona.” From marketing
Costa Cruises have indicated that the new communication campaign “will be presented in December,” The autumn will be relaunched Coast Club, the loyalty program of Costa cruises for premium customers who make at least one cruise a year.