First LNG bunkering operation in Italy

Carnival Corporation-owned Costa Cruises carried out the LNG bunkering operation on 25 October with Costa Smeralda and Anthony Veder’s Coral Methane bunker vessel, operated by Shell, at the Port of La Spezia. The operation was supported by the Italian Coast Guard, Port Authority of Eastern Ligurian Sea, local authorities and Shell, which is the LNG supplier partner for Costa Group and its parent company Carnival Corporation.

“As part of our deep commitment to sustainability, we are proud to have our LNG-powered flagship Costa Smeralda mark this milestone for Italy and the port of La Spezia,” said Franco Porcellacchia, vice president of sustainable innovation and infrastructure development for Costa Group. “Carnival Corporation and Costa were the first cruise operator to invest in sustainable innovation with LNG-powered ship technology and we continue to be committed to ensuring the highest environmental standards for a more sustainable future of cruising.”

LNG milestone

“A very important milestone was reached for the first time in our country, once again right in the port of La Spezia,” said Carla Roncallo, president of the Port Authority of Eastern Ligurian Sea.

Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, and will be followed by sister LNG ship Costa Toscana, scheduled to be delivered in late 2021. Another LNG ship, AIDAnova from AIDA Cruises, has been operating within the Costa Group fleet since 2018 and she will be followed by two sister vessels by 2023.

Costa Group comprises Costa Cruises, Germany-based AIDA Cruises and Costa China. This was its 50th bunkering operation.