ONE OF THE world’s largest tallest ships has sailed into Dublin Port where it will berth until Monday.

The BAP Unión vessel is used by the Peruvian Navy for training and has been voyaging around the world this summer.

It is a steel hulled, four masted barque built between 2012-15 and is the largest sail training vessel in South America and one of the largest in the world at 115m long and 53.5m tall at her highest mast, with a beam of 13.5m. 

It was in Liverpool earlier this week and the public will be able to visit it in Dublin Port later today.

BAP Unión will be open for on-board exhibitions today, tomorrow and Monday.

The public visit hours are from 2pm to 5pm today, 10am to 5 pm tomorrow and 10am to 12pm on Monday.

On Sunday, a free shuttle bus service will be available to the public from the bus stop at Sean Moore Road to the ship’s docking location every 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, onsite parking for visitors is very limited, so allow extra time for visits.

Access will be through the Ecocem Access Lane off Pigeon House Road. 

As a sail training vessel, the ship carries a crew of around 250, led by Peruvian Naval Officers.

But alongside her role as a training ship, she also travels the world building stronger diplomatic relations between Peru and host nations as a floating embassy. 

Peruvian Ambassador to Ireland, Jamie Cacho Sousa, said the visit marks a “historic milestone in Peru–Ireland relations”.

“This visit not only reflects the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations, but also opens new opportunities to share Peru’s culture, values, and maritime tradition with the Irish people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dublin Port Harbour Master Captain Michael McKenna said that BAP Unión is “not only a living reminder of maritime history, but also floating ambassadors for their home nations”.

“This is an opportunity to welcome the Peruvian crew to Dublin, for them to experience Irish hospitality, and to have a warm cultural exchange,” said McKenna.

The ship is currently on a European tour aimed at building closer bonds across trade, tourism, investment and cultural connectivity.

The European tour began on 9 May with departure from the Port of Callao, in Lima, Peru, and has made stops in the UK, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

After Dublin, the ship will head to Vigo, Spain and then return home to Peru.