The wrecked Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, has started its final voyage to the port of Genoa, two-and-a-half years after it was capsized on the Tuscan island of Giglio, killing 32 people.
The ship was successfully refloated in what is said to be the biggest ever maritime salvage attempt.
The 114,500t vessel is encased with large metal boxes, which will enable it to stay afloat despite its damage, reported The Guardian.
Costa Concordia is being towed at 2k with the help of more than a dozen tug boats. It is expected to reach Genoa after four days, where it will be scrapped and dismantled.
Earlier this week, the vessel completed a ten-day refloating operation after it was lifted from the artificial underwater platform in Isola del Giglio, Italy.
Last year, Concordia was rolled upright using the parbuckling process; however, it remained partially submerged and has been resting on six steel platforms since then.
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By GlobalDataThe vessel was carrying 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members when it ran aground off the Italian island of Giglio on 13 January 2012.
Operated by Costa Cruises and built in Italy, the vessel was reportedly the largest and most luxurious in the family of Costa Cruises. It has been in service since 2006.
Image: Costa Concordia completed a ten-day refloating operation earlier this week. Photo: courtesy of The parbuckling project.