In advance of the COP30 United Nations Climate Conference, scheduled for November 10–21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, the federal government has chartered two large cruise vessels to serve as floating hotels for international delegations.
The charters involve Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview, each to be moored at Port Outeiro (~30 km/19 mi from Belem) from November 5th through November 22nd, expanding lodging capacity along the Amazon River.
Costa Diadema, belonging to the Costa Cruises fleet, can host 4500+ guests, while MSC Seaview accommodates 5000+, collectively providing nearly 9,500 berths to supplement the city’s infrastructure.
According to reports in the São Paulo press, officials from 103 embassies were briefed in Brasília regarding the vessels’ deployment.
The Port of Outeiro is currently undergoing upgrades, including expansion of its passenger terminal, to support the docking and disembarkation of these vessels. Navigation authorities and port operators have suspended routine cargo handling operations in preparation for the summit. The Brazilian tourism agency Embratur has confirmed that the cruise ships will provide approximately 6,000 lodging spaces during the conference period.
The cruise liners had previously been scheduled for South American itineraries through late 2025 and early 2026; however, their planned deployment has been altered to accommodate the summit. Following the conclusion of COP30, Costa Diadema is expected to resume its circuit departing from Santos to destinations such as Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, returning to Europe by April 2026. MSC Seaview is set to resume 7-night sailings from Santos, Maceió, and Salvador in late November.
This maritime lodging solution echoes earlier uses of anchored cruise ships as temporary hotels during large-scale events in Brazil, such as the FIFA World Cup and Rio Olympics. Such measures have become increasingly vital as Belém, with limited onshore capacity, seeks to accommodate approximately 60,000 summit participants—well beyond its current hotel bed supply estimated at 18,000.