Arabic version: أميريغو فيسبوتشي تبرز الروابط البحرية بين تونس وإيطاليا

According to Allafrica, the Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci has been docked at Tunisia’s La Goulette port since October 31, highlighting cooperation between Tunisia and Italy in maritime training, naval diplomacy and marine-environment protection.

Italian Ambassador to Tunisia Alessandro Prunas spoke during an organised visit aboard the three-masted vessel for Tunisian journalists on Monday. He said 15 Tunisian Navy cadet officers took part in the ship’s latest sailing campaign, training alongside Italian counterparts and becoming familiar with the particular conditions of sailing on a historic training ship.

Prunas said the participation demonstrated the scope of bilateral maritime cooperation while giving young Tunisian officers practical experience in an international training environment. The Amerigo Vespucci, which is marking its 95th anniversary this year, is the oldest ship still serving with the Italian Navy.

Commander Nicasio Falica said generations of Italian officers had gained their first seafaring experience aboard the vessel. Training covers navigation as well as life on board, discipline, teamwork and mastering maritime conditions. Launched on February 22, 1931, the ship entered service as a training vessel on June 6 that year.

The vessel arrived in Tunisia for a four-day stopover running from October 31 to November 3, after a journey that began in Italy in May and included calls in the United States and Canada before its return to Europe. The ship also promotes ocean protection and the preservation of marine ecosystems through international environmental initiatives and collaboration with environmental organisations.