The Italian cruise line Costa Crociere, part of Carnival Corporation, has decided to buy a 33% share in Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard, as the company signed an agreement for the development of a ship repair and conversion center with Genoese San Giorgio del Porto company.
The agreement between the duo calls for an initial investment of EUR 10 million (USD 11.2 million) aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Giorgio del Porto’s shipyard, which operates three dry docks.
“The investment will generate volumes and a scale that will allow the entire shipping industry to take advantage of the facilities for any type of vessel and maximize the potential of the basin n.10 able to accommodate big ships,” according to Carnival Corporation.
In addition, the investment is said to represent a further step towards a more advanced technical management of the Carnival’s fleet.
Carnival said that an expansion is planned due to the delivery of seven new ships, three for German AIDA Cruises brand, two for Costa Crociere and two for Costa Asia.