According to the verdict, Francesco Schettino has been banned for life from holding public office and for five years from operating vessels. Additionally, the ex-captain has been ordered along with Costa Cruceros, the ship's owner, to compensate passengers and local government bodies.
The only defendant in the high-profile case, Schettino was accused of causing a shipwreck, involuntary manslaughter, as well as abandoning the vessel and its passengers.
He was not in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, following a one-and-a-half year trial.
In accordance with existing legal practice in Italy, the ex-captain will not start serving his sentence until the appellate courts uphold Wednesday's decision.
Costa Concordia struck a rock just off the island of Giglio in the Tyrrhenian Sea on January 13, 2012 as Schettino took the ship dangerously close to the shore to give a "salute" to a friend.
There were more than 4,200 passengers and crew members on board.
