‘Costa Smeralda’, the first LNG-powered ship to join Costa Cruises’ fleet, has passed technical sea trials carried out with LNG and has since been handed over.
During the sea trials, which began on 16th November, the ship carried out a series of tests to verify the correct operation of systems, equipment and engines using LNG as a fuel.
Earlier this month, the ship also completed her first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering undertaking at the Meyer Turku shipyard.
“The fuelling of cruise ships with LNG is an innovation in which we were the first to believe five years ago, when we ordered the ‘Costa Smeralda’, setting an example for the sector, which has since been followed by other companies.
“It is a safe and reliable technology, which is currently the most effective and feasible solution to ensure a significant reduction in the environmental impact of cruise ships in port and at sea,” explained Neil Palomba, Costa Cruises’ President.
Once the sea trials were finished, the ship returned to Turku in Finland to complete the interior layout and she was finally delivered last week.
Her first cruise is due to start from Savona on 21st December, 2019, after delays that shipbuilder Meyer Turku claimed was down to “the high complexity and the sheer size of the ship project.”
