Amerigo Vespucci in Manila

First historic visit of one of the symbols of the Italian Navy to the Philippines, a sign of an increasingly strong bond

The Amerigo Vespucci, a historic sailing ship and training ship of the Italian Navy, paid a port visit to Manila Sept. 14-18. The Philippine capital was the 23rd stop on her world cruise after Tokyo and before Darwin in Australia. It was the ship's first visit to the Philippines where it was welcomed by Italian Ambassador Davide Giglio and Philippine Navy authorities.

As in other ports, Nave Vespucci opened to the public and several thousand visitors came on board to admire her.

The Amerigo Vespucci, the custodian of the oldest naval and seafaring traditions for over ninety years - is one of the best known symbols of Italy in the world. The Vespucci “World Tour” initiative combines the traditional training activities of Officer trainees and the promotion of Made in Italy excellence. The Vespucci is the emblem of the Navy and of Italy itself: in the wake of maritime traditions, over the years it has contributed to the growth of the country's prestige. The ship departed July 1, 2023 from the port of Genoa to make the approximately two-year round-the-world voyage, bringing with it the culture, history, innovation, science, research, and technology that make Italy a country valued by the entire world, including East and Southeast Asia.

The visit of the Vespucci followed that (Sept. 2-8) of the Naval Group composed of the aircraft carrier Cavour and the frigate Alpino in a deployment that testifies to Italy's growing commitment to the Indo-Pacific. This is in order to reaffirm the principle of freedom of navigation, consolidate a rules-based international order, contribute to regional peace and stability, and strengthen bilateral relations with partners in the region, starting with countries, such as precisely the Philippines, with which we share values of freedom and democracy. In the coming days, the Amerigo Vespucci will also be in Singapore, thus making the city-state a new stop in its long-awaited tour of Southeast Asia.