Costa Concordia
Italian cruise ship that ran aground and capsized on 13 January 2012, killing 32.
via Wikipedia: Costa Cruises · see source
The Costa Concordia was a cruise ship built for the Italian line Costa Crociere, entering service in 2006. It was the first vessel of its class, a series that later included several sister ships for both Costa and Carnival Cruise Line. At 114,137 tons, it and its sister ships were among the largest vessels constructed in Italy at the time. The ship measured 290.20 meters in length with a beam of 35.50 meters. Its diesel-electric power plant, comprising six Wärtsilä generating sets, produced a combined output of 102,780 horsepower, driving two 21-megawatt electric motors for propulsion. The vessel achieved a top speed of 23 knots during sea trials, though its service speed was 19.6 knots. On board were approximately 1,500 cabins, including many with private balconies and suites, as well as a two-level, 6,000-square-meter spa and fitness center. Amenities included four swimming pools, five Jacuzzis, five restaurants, thirteen bars, a three-level theatre, and a casino. The ship had thirteen public decks, each named after a European country. On 22 November 2008, the ship suffered bow damage in Palermo when high winds pushed it against a dock; repairs were completed that December, with full restoration during a 2011 refurbishment. On 13 January 2012, under Captain Francesco Schettino, the Costa Concordia struck a rock off Isola del Giglio, tearing a 53-meter gash in the hull. This flooded the engine room, cutting power and propulsion. The ship listed, drifted, and grounded on its starboard side in shallow water. The evacuation lasted over six hours; of the 4,252 people aboard, 32 died. Schettino was later convicted of manslaughter, causing the accident, and abandoning the ship, receiving a 16-year prison sentence. The wreck was salvaged, refloated, and towed to Genoa for scrapping.
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- Grounding and sinking on 13 January 2012
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Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
On 13 January 2012, Costa Concordia ran aground off Isola del Giglio in Tuscany. The ship capsized and partially sank, killing 32 people. The captain at the helm during the sinking, Francesco Schettino, was found guilty by an Italian court on multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, and abandoning his passengers. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. An Italian appeals court on 31 May 2016 upheld the 16-year prison sentence. In 2014, the ship was parbuckled and refloated with caissons, and in July 2014, she was towed to the Port of Genoa over a period of five days, where it was dismantled and eventually scrapped. The total cost of the disaster was estimated to be over $2 billion.
Reader's Guide
The Costa Concordia disaster is significant for the grounding and capsizing off Isola del Giglio on 13 January 2012, which resulted in 32 deaths. The ship was parbuckled and refloated with caissons in 2014, then towed to the Port of Genoa over five days for scrapping. The total cost of the disaster was estimated to be over $2 billion. Captain Francesco Schettino was found guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, and abandoning his passengers, receiving a 16-year prison sentence, which was upheld by an appeals court on 31 May 2016. The incident drew international attention to Costa Cruises, which had been a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc since 2000.
Did You Know?
- Costa Concordia ran aground off Isola del Giglio in Tuscany on 13 January 2012, capsizing and partially sinking, killing 32 people.
- The ship was parbuckled and refloated with caissons in 2014, then towed to the Port of Genoa over five days for scrapping.
- The total cost of the disaster was estimated to be over $2 billion.
- Captain Francesco Schettino was found guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, and abandoning his passengers, and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
- An Italian appeals court on 31 May 2016 upheld the 16-year prison sentence for Captain Schettino.
The Company Behind the Vessel
Costa Crociere S.p.A., operating as Costa Cruises, is an Italian cruise line founded in 1948 and organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc since 2000. Based in Genoa, Italy, the cruise line primarily caters to the European cruise market, but the company's 10 ships, which all sail under the Italian flag, provide itineraries sailing to countries globally. The company attracted international attention when Costa Concordia ran aground and capsized off the coast of Italy on 13 January 2012. Thirty-two people died in the disaster. Six weeks later, the company made headlines again when a fire on Costa Allegra left it drifting without power for 13 hours in waters near Somalia frequented by pirates, before the ship was taken under tow.
The Catastrophe
On 13 January 2012, Costa Concordia ran aground off Isola del Giglio in Tuscany. The ship capsized and partially sank, killing 32 people. In 2014, the ship was parbuckled and refloated with caissons, and in July 2014, she was towed to the Port of Genoa over a period of five days, where it was dismantled and eventually scrapped. The total cost of the disaster was estimated to be over $2 billion. On 11 February 2015, the captain at the helm during the sinking, Francesco Schettino, was found guilty by an Italian court on multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, and abandoning his passengers. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. An Italian appeals court on 31 May 2016 upheld the 16-year prison sentence.
Corporate Architecture and Fleet Identity
Costa Crociere S.p.A. has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc since 2000. Based in Genoa, Italy, the cruise line primarily caters to the European cruise market, but the company's 10 ships, which all sail under the Italian flag, provide itineraries sailing to countries globally. In 2000, Carnival Corporation took full control of Costa Crociere after buying out Airtours' 50% interest for $525 million. As of 2018, Costa accounted for approximately 12% of Carnival Corporation & plc's revenue. The fleet of ten Italian-flagged ships, home-ported in Genoa, gave Costa a distinct Mediterranean identity.
Aftermath and the Long Road Forward
The Costa Concordia disaster was not the final chapter in Costa Cruises' turbulent period. In February 2018, Costa announced its partnership with the Italian football club, Juventus. In December 2019, Costa debuted Costa Smeralda and became the second cruise line to operate a cruise ship fully powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), following AIDA's AIDAnova one year earlier. Costa Smeralda was joined by her sister LNG ship, Costa Toscana, in 2021. Owing to the Covid pandemic of 2020, Costa sold some of its ships, including the Costa Victoria and Costa neoRomantica to help cut costs. It also led to the continued long term layup of the Costa Magica and Costa Serena. In February 2023, it was announced that Costa Magica had been sold to Seajets, a Greek/Cypriot ferry company. On 31 March 2023, Costa Cruises celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
1. Some people believe the *Costa Concordia* disaster was a simple accident, but court rulings found Captain Francesco Schettino guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck, and abandoning his passengers — resulting in a 16-year prison sentence upheld on appeal. 2. Another misconception is that the ship was simply left at the wreck site; in fact, it was parbuckled and refloated with caissons in 2014, then towed to the Port of Genoa over five days for dismantling and scrapping.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
The *Costa Concordia* disaster endures as a stark reminder of how individual negligence in a position of command can lead to catastrophic loss of life, with 32 people killed. It also stands as a monumental feat of maritime salvage engineering, as the unprecedented parbuckling and removal of the wreck cost over $2 billion — underscoring both the human and financial toll of such a tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Costa Concordia?
Costa Concordia is an Italian cruise ship built in 2006 and operated by the Costa Crociere line. She served as the lead vessel of a class that included five sister ships.
What happened to Costa Concordia in January 2012?
On 13 January 2012, the ship ran aground and partially sank off the coast of Isola del Giglio. The disaster killed 32 people and ultimately led to the criminal conviction of her captain.
How big was Costa Concordia compared to other ships?
At 114,137 gross tons and 290.20 meters in length, she was among the largest vessels ever constructed in Italy when she entered service. That record stood until the later 130,000 GT Dream-class ships were built.
Who was the captain of Costa Concordia and what happened to him?
The captain was criminally convicted in the wake of the 2012 grounding and partial sinking. His conviction became one of the most widely reported maritime legal cases in recent years.
Which sister ships shared Costa Concordia's class?
She was followed by Costa Serena, Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa, Costa Fascinosa, and Carnival Splendor. All six vessels were built around the same period and represented a major expansion of Italian cruise-ship construction.
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