Costa Crociere, operator of the Costa Concordia, has invited 10 of the world’s leading salvage companies to bid for the contract to remove the stricken vessel from the rocks of Giglio. Costa Crociere made the announcement yesterday adding that operations to remove the vessels fuel oil and other pollutants are already underway.
The invitation to bid was sent to salvage companies that are capable of performing the work in the shortest period of time while also ensuring maximum safety and minimum environmental impact. The companies invited include Donjon Marine, Fukada Salvage & Marine Works, Mammoet Salvage, Nippon Salvage, Resolve Marine, Smit, Svitzer, T&T Marine, Titan, and Tito Neri.
Costa Crociere says that proposals must be submitted by the beginning of March and that a contract will be awarded within the month.
Almost immediately following the January 13 accident Costa Crociere hired international salvage experts, SMIT Salvage BV, for the removal of the vessels fuel oil and other pollutants, totalling 2,200 tons of intermediate fuel and 185 tons of diesel distributed over 17 tanks. Smit’s salvage plan has received approval and progress in the preparation has been made although unfavorable weather has so far restricted any removal of oil.
The salvage operation has been estimated to take up to 10 months.
