The salvage operation to move the capsized Costa Concordia away from the island of Giglio, where it ran aground three months ago, will begin next month.
Civil Protection official Fabrizio Curcio told reporters at a conference on the island today that he expected contracts to be signed by the end of April and the operation to begin in mid-May.
Sources close to the operation said two consortia were on the short list to carry out the salvage work. One was composed of Smit Salvage of the Netherlands and Italy's Neri and the other by Titan Salvage of the United States and Micoperi of Greece.
The ship, owned by Carnival Corporation & Plc, capsized off the Tuscan island after hitting rocks on January 13th. At least 30 people died and two are still unaccounted for.
The operation to pump more than 2,300 metric tons (2535.3 tons) of fuel out of the vessel was completed last month.
Prosecutors have accused the ship’s captain Francesco Schettino of causing the disaster by bringing the multi-storey liner, which was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, too close to the shore.
Eight other officers and executives of the ship's owner, Costa Cruises, are also under investigation.
Reuters