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http://www.cybercruises.com/costaclassica.htm
The Planned
Transformation to the Costa Classica.
To correct these errors, the Costa Classica might undergo the most
radical transformation done on a modern cruise ship. The rebuilding
comprises both to lengthen and to add an extra deck to the 1991 built
Costa Classica.
Cammel Laird was awarded with the $84.15 million contract, one of the
biggest ever signed for this purpose. In recent years other modern,
but small cruise ships, have undergone the same operation: the
Norwegian Wind and Norwegian Dream sisters, and the Norwegian
Majesty, all carried out in German yards.
The advantages of a lengthening operation are obvious:
- a shorter delivery time than a newbuilding;
- the cost per berth is two-thirds of a new ship;
- in some cases you have a more sleek and hydrodynamic hull;
- and, of course, you lower the operating cost per guest and per mile.
The Costa Classica should have entered in Cammel Laird's Merseyside
docks on November 23.
Then, she should have been cut in two and then a new 44.8 metres
midship section should have been inserted, which would have increased
her length to 265.4 metres. Six new generators and switchboards, as
well as a larger sewage and air conditioning plants should have been
installed on her lower decks. On her upper decks, the existing Lido
deck should have been raised and another swimming pool, with four
jacuzzis, added.
Furthermore around 352 new passenger cabins and 132 crew cabins
should have been provided and new passenger facilities such as a
piano bar, a Winter Garden Bar, two additional lounges, a teen area,
and a Internet Cafe' should have been built. In order to increase her
service speed her existing diesel-driven twin screw propulsion system
was to be retained with the addirion of a new 8 Mw podded drive,
mounted centrally between the two rudders, which were also to be retained.
The extra added power would have more than compensated for the extra
weight of the stretched vessel and would have increased the
ship'speed to around 23 knots. The existing propeller blades would
have been adapted for a higher speed. The use of the pod eliminates
the need for stern thrusters and reduces noise and vibrations due to
its twin small diameter propellers.
One additional forward thruster would have been added. The work had
to be finished on 22 March 2001 a date that would have enabled the
ship to fullfil her summer Mediterranean season. Then, the Costa
Classica would have increased her gross tonnage from 53,000 to around
79,000 and her maximum passenger capacity from 1,764 to 2,516.
Contract Problems
During the voyage between Genoa and Liverpool, while off La
Coruña, Spain's Nort-West coast, Costa Classica's Captain
received the order to return to her homeport. Costa motived the
decision saying that there was a delay by Cammel Laird and that there
was a notable risk that the contract could not be completed within
the scheduled 17 weeks.
Costa added that had not been possible to find a solution through
normal business agreements.
The contract is subject to Italian law and the arbitrations is to be
held in Genoa.
Actually the Costa Classica is laid up in Genoa and the probability
that she will be lenghtened in the near future is very remote.
The Cammel Laird's shares lost more than a third of their value, and
up to 2,000 jobs are under threat. The new midship section was
launched on 26 November 2000, and now it lies idle in Birkenhead. For
many people it will be never "pasted" to the Costa Classica. |
