Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, has described the sinking of the vessel as a “banal accident” in an interview. In an interview with Italian Canale 5 Schettino also claimed “destiny” had played a role in the disaster.

Italian shipping giant Costa Crociere has announced the appointment of its new vice president technical operations, Soren Krogsgaard. Krogsgaard, 48, from Denmark, will be supervising Costa Crociere’s technical operations department and providing coordination of all technical operations for the entire Costa Cruises fleet.

Work has officially began on a second passenger terminal to double the capacity of the Savona Palacrociere. The finishing touches have been made to the design, and on 1 June 2012, the Savona Port Authority gave Costa Cruises permission to build the new facility, in an investment worth around €9 million.

Italo-American consortium Titan-Micoperi has presented its plan to remove the wreck of Costa Concordia from the coast of the Isle of Giglio. Following a conference convened by the commissioner, during which the relevant authorities provided the necessary permits, the work will begin in a few days and is expected to last about 12 months.

Joseph Farrell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Resolve Marine Group, Inc., among the world’s foremost maritime emergency and disaster response, salvage and ship wreck recovery companies, says, ‘Removal of the capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship from the Tuscany coastline is one of the largest undertakings of its kind – this is a massive and complex operation which the entire world will be watching.’

American specialists Titan Salvage have been awarded the contract to refloat the stricken cruise ship Costa Concordia in partnership with Italian firm Micoperi. The ship is presently half submerged in waters off the Italian island of Giglio following its sinking earlier this year with the loss of 32 lives.