The new Costa Cruises flagship, Costa Smeralda, completed her first LNG (liquefied natural gas) refueling in the port of Barcelona.
The tanker ship “Coral Methane” filled the three tanks of Costa Smeralda with around 3,200 m3 of LNG. A couple of the tanks measure about 35m in length and 8 in diameter, each with a capacity of 1,525 m3. A 3rd tank, measuring 5m in diameter, is 28m long and has a capacity of about 520m3. All three are built with steel called “cryogenic”, that is covered with special insulating materials as well as installed in specific protected spots. With one LNG tank filling, which will be done in Barcelona, even once the vessel has started her regular sailings, Smeralda can be powered for at least 2 weeks.
Smeralda is the first Costa Cruises liner to be fueled by LNG both at sea and in port. Costa Group is the first operator to introduce sustainable innovation. The company has ordered 5 new vessels fueled by LNG to be delivered by 2023.
Barcelona is the first cruise port to welcome Costa Smeralda after the liner left Meyer shipyard in Turku. The next port of call is Savona. On December 21, Smeralda will sail from Savona on her first week-long trip, calling at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Rome (Civitavecchia), La Spezia.