Bulbous Bow Delivered in Genoa

The bulbous bow of Costa Crociere's new flagship Costa Concordia, due to enter into service by the end of spring in 2006, has been delivered today to Fincantieri's Genoa Sestri Ponente shipyard. The bulbous bow, which left Fincantieri's Ancona yard where it was built on February 16, weighs 406 tons, and is 32 m long and 11.5 m high. It was transferred by sea to Sestri Ponente yard where the ship will be completed. The 112,000-ton Costa Concordia will be Italy's largest cruise ship, 290 metres in length, with 1,500 cabins and total capacity of 3,800 passengers. Built to operate all year round in the Mediterranean, the Costa Concordia, whose launching by floating out is scheduled for this summer, will feature a series of facilities making her ideal for a winter holiday; highlights include two (of the four) swimming pools with retractable roofs, a 1900 m2 wellness area extending over two decks and increased tonnage and stability ensuring an ideal holiday in the Mediterranean, even in mid-winter. The bulbous bow, which is intended to remain under water at all times, is designed to lower wave-making resistance by channelling water in front of the vessel, creating a crest astern and thereby increasing the ship's speed.