HALIFAX- The so-called ‘most beautiful ship in the world’, an Italian Navy training ship named Amerigo Vespucci, arrived at the capital of Nova Scotia in Canada, Monday, as the fourth stop in the Training Campaign of 2017.

 Following the ship’s arrival at the city’s large natural harbour, the Commanding Officer of the Vespucci, Captain Angelo Patruno, was to hold a press conference on board the vessel in order to present the ship and give further information about the Italian Navy’s Training Campaign 2017 program.

 The vessel arrived in Halifax after conducting visits to the Portuguese cities of Sines and Funchal, and to the port at the British overseas territory of Bermuda.

 The Vespucci departed from the Italian Naval Base in La Spezia on April 19, initially crewed by 79 on-term volunteers (VFP4) from the 24^th Course. However, after the stopover in Montreal, the volunteers will be replaced by over 100 Italian Naval Cadets.

 Throughout the training campaign those involved have aimed to uphold the excellence and prestige of the Italian Navy abroad, participating in a number of cultural and promotional events in collaboration with diplomatic representatives in host countries such as Canada and the United States.

 The Navy will make two further stops in Canada at Montreal and Quebec City, before setting sail to the United States where they will moor up in Boston and New York.

 The visits to the U.S are also part of ‘made in Italy’, a public education initiative launched by the Italian Trade Agency, designed to highlight high-quality food and beverage products sold in America.

 The celebrations of the 150^th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation and the International Sailing Regatta, ‘Tall Ship Race 2017’, will also make up the remainder of the schedule of the Navy’s training campaign.

 The campaign also reflects the ‘blue growth’ movement, which considers maritime activity as a key factor in sustainable development in Italy, driven by growth in trade, employment and technology.

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