Teeside’s Able ‘disappointed but unsurprised’ by failed bid to dismantle wrecked cruise liner Costa Concordia

News that the contract for dismantling the wrecked cruise liner Costa Concordia has been awarded to an Italian company has been described as ‘disappointing but not entirely surprising’ by the Teesside-based company which was amongst those bidding for the project.

Able UK group development director Neil Etherington said that, whilst it was clear that its facility at Able Seaton Port had the expertise and the facilities to undertake the dismantling of the massive vessel, it seemed likely that other factors had affected the decision to tow the ship, which struck rocks off the island of Giglio two and half years, to the Italian port of Genoa.

Neil said: “We were confident that, given our long track record for dismantling offshore structures and ships for major clients and to the highest environmental standards, we were strong contenders for the contract as far as the technical requirements were concerned.

“However, given that the decision on which bidder should be awarded the contract was subject to approval by the Italian Government we were aware that there was a strong likelihood, and risk, that the preference would be for the work going to an Italian yard.

“If as seems likely that did influence the decision it might perhaps provide food for thought for our own Government in future decisions on the disposal and dismantling of UK vessels.

“In recent years we have seen numerous instances where naval vessels have ended up being dismantled abroad when clearly high-quality facilities exist in the UK.”

Since 1985 Able has imported over 60 structures for major companies and organisations including BP, l, Conoco, Hamilton Oil, Shell, Total/Fina/Elf and both the US and French Governments.

Earlier this year it was announced that it had been awarded the contract for the disposal at Able Seaton Port of four offshore structures from the Shell operated Brent Field in the North Sea.

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