The planned interventions will focus on environmental impact, communication, and the creation of economic and social value. As a result, Savona will become a benchmark for sustainable growth within the cruise sector
Savona, November 10, 2015– Today, the Municipality of Savona, the Port Authority and Costa Cruises signed a three-year memorandum of understanding for the sustainable development of the cruise industry in Savona.
This unprecedented agreement requires joint interventions in several areas to ensure the responsible growth of the cruise industry in Savona, which, thanks to the presence of Costa ships in 2014, was the fourth fastest growing Italian port, with more than one million passengers embarking, disembarking or in transit (source: CLIA Europe).
“Today, the Municipal Administration, together with the Port Authority and Costa Cruises, will sign a memorandum of understanding that represents strong evidence of our shared objectives to ensure the true sustainable development of tourism in the city. This important document emphasizes the signatories' commitment to working on a series of strategic issues, ranging from respect for the environment to the promotion and enhancement of our city and its cruise vocation, through joint actions and instruments. The document we are signing is a symbol of how the city has changed in the last two decades, through new potential that Savona and its cruise port, supported by the commercial port, have proven capable of offering in the future, thanks to their own independence,” stated Federico Berruti, Mayor of Savona.
“Thanks to the close collaboration between Costa, the Municipality, and the Port Authority, Savona will become a long-term benchmark for sustainable development in the cruise sector, thereby creating economic, social, and environmental value for the area,” said Neil Palomba, Managing Director of Costa Cruises. “In recent years, we have made significant investments in Savona, such as the construction of the second Palacrociere terminal, and we would like to continue growing together with the city in a responsible manner.”
“The signing of this memorandum of understanding formalizes a series of mutual commitments by the signatories, with the clear objective of continuing to improve and implement what has already been built since 1996: this includes significant infrastructure and a high-level service model for cruise passengers and ships, creating numerous jobs that, on peak days, will reach a total of 200,” stated the President of the Port Authority of Savona, Gian Luigi Miazza. “From the outset, the goal has been to facilitate familiarization with Savona, and today, the Infopoint in front of Palacrociere is a crucial reference point for cruise passengers. In other words, the idea is for everyone to work together to achieve new goals in terms of future investments and increasing the figures generated in the long term, starting today on the foundation of everything the cruise industry has already developed in Savona.”
The main areas of intervention included in the agreement focus on environmental protection, economic and social impact, and communication of the results achieved.
Regarding ship emissions in port, Costa Cruises is continuously involved in initiatives aimed at the careful management of energy resources and limiting environmental impact, such as the implementation of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems on seven of its fleet's ships to reduce exhaust emissions, and the replacement of onboard light bulbs with energy-efficient LED equivalents. The cruise line has also announced the construction of the first ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world's 'cleanest' fossil fuel. These ships will be delivered in 2019 and 2020, with Savona serving as the home port for the first. To gain a more accurate understanding of the environmental impact generated in Savona, Costa has also developed specific activities to monitor emissions in port, the results of which will be available soon.
Monitoring of the impact of ship noise during port operations has already begun, along with further improvements to existing recycling and waste disposal processes—a true example for all of Europe. In this regard, the plans also involve increased cooperation with key partners, such as CiAl (the Italian Consortium of Aluminum Packaging). Another significant project for safeguarding marine wildlife is Whalesafe, which aims to protect cetaceans in the Pelagos Sanctuary area.
In the social and economic spheres, initiatives have been planned to strengthen relationships with local communities. The second terminal at Palacrociere, inaugurated in 2014 and representing a nine million euro investment by Costa, will further increase cruise traffic in the coming years, thereby creating new local jobs. Furthermore, a consulting firm will conduct a study to measure the economic impact of cruises in the area. Efforts will also focus on training, through the organization of professional internships at Palacrociere for young people from Savona, along with courses on welcoming tourists for existing staff. Educational programs will also be offered to high school students, and the company will collaborate with universities and institutes on research projects related to cruises and tourism.
The joint management, already formalized, by Costa, the Municipality, the Chamber of Commerce and the Port Authority, of InfoPoint, located on the docks next to the terminal, will improve the welcome to tourists and the information services for cruise passengers.
Palacrociere will also open its doors to the city for student visits, while hosting open days, cultural events and conferences.
Support and sponsorship of local initiatives focused on sustainability will also be evaluated, along with the involvement of Costa and its employees in volunteer projects related to the area.
Finally, the continuity of the sustainability program signed today will be ensured through meetings with constant updates between the Municipality, the Port Authority and Costa Cruises, who also commit to communicating the results obtained to the city.
Costa Crociere is the Italian cruise line of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company. Currently, Costa's fleet, the largest in Europe, comprises 15 ships in service, all flying the Italian flag. Two new-generation vessels will be delivered in 2019 and 2020 (along with others for the AIDA Cruises brand): these will feature a revolutionary 'green' design and will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world's cleanest fossil fuel, representing a significant environmental advancement. Costa embodies Italian excellence thanks to its 19,000 Costa associates worldwide, who work passionately every day to offer cruise vacations with the best of Italy, featuring 137 different itineraries, 261 destinations, and 60 embarkation ports.
