Mumbai: Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, visited the Italian Naval Ship ‘Amerigo Vespucci’ berthed at Mumbai port, along with Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises, govt of Italy.
In his speech, Sonowal said that as part of bilateral relations, the Italian ship is berthed at Mumbai Port due to the city’s vibrant economic and cultural reality.
The event will showcase the best of Italian creativity and craftsmanship, which is open to the citizens of Mumbai. The event not only facilitates the exhibition of an Italian village but also promotes Mumbai and India in Italy.
India and Italy share a healthy bond in maritime trade. MbPA has dedicated one of its berths and the connected wharf area at Indira Docks exclusively for the Italian Naval Ship and for the construction of the Italian Village. MbPA is the second oldest major port in India and has completed 151 years of existence.
Amerigo Vespucci is a tall ship named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. The ship was commissioned in May 1931 with a length of 100.5 metres, a beam of 15.56 metres, and a draft of 7 metres. The propulsion of the ship includes 26 sails, 2 diesel generator engines, and 1 electrical propulsion engine. The ship can cruise at a speed of 15 knots (28 kmph) and has a complement of 15 officers, 64 non-commissioned officers, 185 sailors, and 130 naval academy cadets and support staff.
As part of the ship’s World Tour 2023-2025, the ship visited Los Angeles in the USA, Tokyo in Japan, Darwin in Australia, Singapore, and is now at Mumbai, after which it will visit Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah. The ship will stay at Mumbai until December 2, during which period the Italian Navy and Indian Navy will engage in sports activities, showcase Italian culture at the Italian Village, and hold conferences on the space and blue economy, etc. There will be about 40,000 guests visiting this event.