The first building block has been laid on what is set to be the largest Italian-flagged cruise ship in the world at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard.

Costa Diadema is expected to cost the line 550 million euros with a capacity for 4,947-passengers and weighing in at 132,500 gross tonnes.

“The construction of the Costa Diadema is a tangible commitment to the future growth of our Company,” Costa Crociere S.p.A. CEO Michael Thamm said.

“It is significant not only for us but for Italy in general and Venice in particular”.

The first building block laid will make up the central part of the ship and measured 540 tonnes, 15.7 metres in breadth and 29 metres in length.

“Today, as we start work on what will be another splendid ship for our friends at Costa, we’re looking to the future with a bit more certainty,” Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono said.

Costa Diadema is slated for delivery on 30 October 2014.

From Left to Right: Giuseppe Bono - CEO Fincantieri; Michael Thamm - CEO Costa Crociere S.p.A.; Ing. Attilio Da Pelo - Fincantieri - Marghera shipyard Director; Gianni Onorato - President Costa Crociere S.p.A. Image: Costa Cruises