Amerigo Vespucci welcomed to Darwin as celebration of Italian Australian friendship

No fewer than three parachutists landed among dignitaries to welcome the ‘world’s most beautiful ship’ to the Territory in style. See on board.

The “world’s most beautiful ship” has arrived in style: smoke canons blasting out Italy’s iconic green, white and red; a feathered brass ensemble providing live music; and no fewer than three parachutists landing among dignitaries gathered at Fort Hill Wharf.

A welcoming ceremony for the Amerigo Vespucci was held in Darwin on Saturday morning ahead of the iconic Italian navy training ship opening to the public.

Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci has docked in Darwin, with a welcoming ceremony to mark the ships first return to Australia in more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied.

First launched in 1931, the immaculately kept ship was modelled after late 18th century style cannon ships, and is currently on a two year world tour.

Visiting a total of 30 ports across five continents, Darwin is her only Australian stop.

Tickets to see on board sold out days ahead of the Amerigo Vespucci’s arrival in the Top End, with thousands of Territorians expected to visit over the weekend.

Captain Giuseppe Lai aboard the Amerigo Vespucci in Darwin, as the Italian navy training ship makes its first stop to Australia in more than 20 years. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Captain Giuseppe Lai said the 250 crew on board had been looking forward to visiting the NT, and had received a warm welcome from Darwin’s Italian community.

“It’s our first time ever here … we are very excited to visit this part of the country. We last came to Australia in 2003 but we were in the south (Sydney),” he said.

Captain Lai said the ship took an immense amount of work to maintain: no surprise when almost everything is done manually.

That includes winching the 46km of ropes on board, swabbing the 80m long deck daily, or hoisting all 26 sails.

“Everything is about details, every detail in this ship is accurately maintained and is a matter of pride,” he said.

Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci has docked in Darwin, with a welcoming ceremony to mark the ships first return to Australia in more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied.

Italy’s ambassador to Australia Paolo Crudele said the Amerigo Vespucci was “a beauty, just like Italians are able to create beauty”.

The ship’s visit to Darwin signalled the “strong friendship between our countries”, he said, and reflected Italy’s focus on building military and cultural ties in the region.

Italy's ambassador to Australia Paolo Crudele has praised the strong friendship between the two countries, speaking as the Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci docks in Darwin. Picture: Fia Walsh.

“We feel that closing ranks with like minded countries is essential for all of us – also in economic terms, reinforcing supply chains and value chains,” Mr Crudele said.

“(Australia) is a big player in the Indo Pacific, and it’s a friend country – we have extraordinary bilateral ties, we love working with Australia.”

Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci has docked in Darwin, with a welcoming ceremony to mark the ships first return to Australia in more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied.

Italy participated in the Top End’s major air force exercise Pitch Black for the first time this year – something Mr Crudele said “means a lot to us”.

“It means Italy is ready to play a role in the Pacific … to work together for peace and security.”

Senator Raff Ciccone, chair of the Australia-Italy network group, said the ship’s visit reinforced the close links between the two nations.

He said the Northern Territory in particular, now with its second Chief Minister of Italian descent, showed “the success story of our multicultural country”.