Crowley said its Titan Salvage unit has been awarded a contract to remove the Costa Concordia wreck from Giglio Island in partnership with the Italian firm Micoperi.
The work will begin in early May, subject to final approval from the Italian authorities. The job is expected to take about 12 months.
Removal of fuel from the ship was completed on March 24, more than two months after the Jan. 13 disaster which killed 32 people and injured scores of others.
Pier Luigi Foschi, chief executive officer of Carnival Cruise’s Costa Crociere unit, said “as was the case with the removal of the fuel, we have sought to identify the best solution to safeguard the island and its marine environment and to protect its tourism.” Costa awarded the contract along with the Costa Concordia Emergency Commissioner’s office.
The ship is to be removed in one piece and towed to an Italian port where the company said it will be “dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Italian authorities.”
Crowley’s Titan to salvage Costa Concordia