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Italian trade union leaders and politicians
have raised concerns over the future of Costa Crociere, the Genoa based part of
Carnival Corp & plc, after it had decided to relocate its marine operations to
Hamburg.
"What worries us is that they are transferring the heart of the company to
another country, and that will lead to a progressive emptying out of
headquarters," Mauro Scognamillo, leader of the Fit-Cisl union, told the
Associated Press (AP) news agency..
After a meeting, Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Crociere, reassured the Italian
government that "Italy remains a market with a huge potential." Transport
Minister Maurizio Lupi said Costa would present to the government an industrial
plan that confirms Genoa as a strategic asset, AP reported .
On 29 January, Costa Crociere unveiled establishment of a central Marine
Operations Center in Hamburg, Germany. Under the name Carnival Maritime, Costa
Group is creating, with the support of Lufthansa Technik, a highly modern,
digitalised unit for the operation of its fleet, currently numbering 25 ships.
Carnival Maritime will be led by Jens Lassen, current Senior Vice President
Marine Operations AIDA Cruises, who will also report directly to the CEO of
Costa Group.
"The Hamburg location offers us excellent access to technology and expertise in
the maritime sector. We are certain that the close cooperation with Lufthansa
Technik will enable us to transfer airline know-how to improve continuously the
quality of our fleet’s operations,” Thamm said in a statement. |
