The Amerigo Vespucci is free for members of the public to visit, but almost all slots have already been snapped up at press time. - ST
SINGAPORE: It has been in service since 1931 and looks like it is from another era, with its three huge masts for rigging sails, but the tall ship Amerigo Vespucci is thoroughly modern inside and serves a vital role in training the Italian Navy’s future generations of sailors.
The 101m-long, 4,200-tonne vessel – which was once called the most beautiful ship in the world by sailors on a passing American aircraft carrier – is in Singapore at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, as part of its voyage around the world.
While it is here, the Amerigo Vespucci is free for members of the public to visit between Oct 24 and 28. While almost all slots have already been snapped up at press time, people who have not booked can still go to Villaggio Italia, a five-day expo promoting Italian products, investment, research and entrepreneurship – also taking place at Marina Bay Cruise Centre – and, based on availability, try to visit the ship.
There are other activities organised around the ship (go to https://tourvespucci.it/en/singapore-24-28-october-2024/), which is named after a 15th-century explorer.
The Amerigo Vespucci can sail the old-fashioned way, and also has an auxiliary electric-diesel engine as an alternative propulsion method. It is used by the Italian Navy to train its future sailors, who typically undertake a three-month stint on board the vessel after finishing their first year at the Italian Naval Academy.
Its world tour serves a dual purpose of training the navy’s cadets as well as promoting Italian culture and products. It started in July 2023 and is expected to last 20 months, with stops in the Americas, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.
During the next leg of its journey, which will take the ship to Indonesia, six Republic of Singapore Navy cadets will be on board the Amerigo Vespucci for training.
The Amerigo Vespucci is the third Italian Navy ship to visit Singapore in 2024. The aircraft carrier Cavour was here in June and again in September during its visit to the Asia-Pacific region, as part of a carrier strike group together with the Italian frigate Alpino and French frigate Bretagne.
The tall ship is also conducting trials in the Singapore and Malacca straits for next-generation International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) standards and dual-format electronic navigational charts.
The latter are standardised digital charts that contain information such as bathymetric data and other real-time maritime information to be integrated seamlessly for safer maritime navigation.
These trials are being carried out in collaboration with the IHO-Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, as well as the hydrographic offices of Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
‘We want expo visitors to feel like they’ve visited Italy’
Italy’s Ambassador to Singapore Dante Brandi said that the ship’s visit underscores the solid economic ties between Italy and Singapore, with both countries being reliant on maritime trade.
“The presence of the Amerigo Vespucci and the Villaggio Italia in Singapore is an opportunity to give new impetus to our relationship”, Brandi told The Straits Times, adding that the two countries also have close cooperation in fields such as science, art and defence.
Singapore is one of eight ports of call for the Amerigo Vespucci where Villaggio Italia will take place alongside the ship’s visit. The expo has been promoted as a meeting point for sharing and dialogue, and a showcase of Italian culture, art, cuisine and craftsmanship.
It is hoped that expo visitors will be able to get an overall impression of various aspects of the country, Italian Deputy Minister for Enterprise and the Made in Italy campaign Valentino Valentini told ST.
“Some of the exhibitions are immersive, and we want visitors to feel like they’ve visited Italy”, he added.
Among the organisations at the Villaggio Italia are the Italian Trade Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which will present Italy’s global start-up programme to global investors in Singapore.
Italian news agency Ansa will present a photo exhibition and a forum at the expo, where participants, including entrepreneurs, Singaporean researchers and representatives of Italian institutions, will talk about their relationship with Italy and future developments in bilateral relations. - The Straits Times/ANN
