The relation between Costa and the Port of Málaga started early last century.

During next year, Costa will bring 156,000 passengers to Málaga, who will spend 8,000,000E during their calls.

From January to December of next year, 8 of 14 cruise ships of the shipping line, included “Costa Luminosa” which will be inaugurated in June 2009, will make a total of 52 calls in Málaga. This fact will bring 156,000 passengers to the city.

These figures were published last Tuesday during the exchange of commemorative plaques to celebrate the sixty-year-cruising of the company. The president of the Port Authority of Málaga himself, Mr. Enrique Linde, gave a commemorative plaque to Costa Crociere, the shipping line leading in Europe and South America.

The company will celebrate its anniversary in some of the ports which visits frequently, being the Port of Málaga the first one chosen for that. The event took place on board Costa Mediterranea. Some important representatives of the City Council of Málaga, the Regional Government of Andalusia and other local authorities attended the reception.

Later, the audience had lunch in one of the restaurants of the ship. After that, the shipping line explained some of its history and future projects. Finally, the guests could enjoy visiting the cruise ship. Costa Mediterranea, which is 292.50 metres long, has the capacity to host 2,680 passengers and 897 members of the crew.

“From some decades ago, Málaga has been a very important port for us. We can remember that 50 years ago the shipping line made some calls transporting goods, and then passengers”, said Luis Grau, President of Costa Crociere in Spain.

He added that “the excellent relation between Costa Crociere and Málaga” is not recent; historical documents such as old photographs and navigation charts show what the cruise ships where like 50 years ago.

During his short speech, Mr. Luis Grau pointed that Costa arrived at the Port of Málaga in 1924 with a ship loaded of goods. After that, in 1966, the ship called Anna C made the first call with tourists. Currently, 42 years later, 8 cruise ships of the fleet visit Málaga.

On one of the visits of Anna C to the Port of Málaga, February 9th 1966, the cruise ship received a barrel filled with Málaga wine, which was refilled in following calls.

Costa Mediterranea, where the company celebrated its 60th anniversary, was not the only Costa cruise in the port on that day: Costa Victoria, which has visited the city 9 other times this years, will visit us 2 more times in November.

The cruise ships visiting the Port of Málaga during 2009 are Costa Serena, Costa Marina, Costa Europa, Costa Romantica, Costa Atlantica, Costa Mediterranea and Costa Luminosa. The last one will be inaugurated next year. Costa Cruceros will connect Málaga city with other destinations in Europe such as Canarias, Morocco, Madeira, Italiy, France, England, Portugal, Holland and, in America, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Cabo Verde.