Wärtsilä To Outfit Costa Classica

Wärtsilä NSD has received a contract for additional diesel engines from Italian cruise ship owner Costa Crociere to outfit its ship Costa Classica with six more Sulzer diesel engines for increased propulsion power and shipboard electrical supplies.

Cammell Laird will perform the modification of the 1991-built Costa Classica this fall for a March 2001 completion. The vessel will be extended by 147 ft. (44.8 m) to 871 ft. (265.4 m) overall, in addition to a new full-length superstructure deck. Passenger occupancy will expand from 1,308 to 2,020 persons, with double occupancy and the gross tonnage will go from 52,950 to 78,000.

The vessel's propulsion plant is being extended for an increased service speed of 21 knots in spite of increased ship's length. Power for the thruster and shipboard electrical services will be provided by six Sulzer engines with a combined output of 27,000 kW at 514-rpm. Existing auxiliary engines will be replaced by the new main diesel gensets.

The new Sulzers will be constructed at Wärtsilä's Trieste factory where engineers will also supervise the upgrading of the existing engines.