BAP Unión: Peru’s Pride Sails Into Amsterdam 🌊

The port of Amsterdam recently welcomed a majestic visitor – the Peruvian Navy’s BAP Unión, the largest sailing ship in South America and the third largest tall ship in the world. Her arrival drew crowds along the waterfront, captivated by the towering masts and elegant lines of this modern training vessel.

 

A Floating Ambassador of Peru 🌎

 

Launched in 2014 and commissioned in 2016, BAP Unión is more than just a naval training ship – she is also Peru’s “sailing ambassador.” On her global voyages, she promotes Peruvian culture, craftsmanship, and maritime tradition, often serving as a floating exhibition hall for the nation’s history, gastronomy, and art.

 

Over the years, the vessel has visited ports across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania, making appearances at international maritime festivals and tall ship regattas. From Cádiz to Tokyo, and from Sydney to Hamburg, the Union has represented Peru on the global stage with dignity and grandeur.

 

Technical Masterpiece ⚓

 

The BAP Unión was designed and built by Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) in Peru, with Spanish naval architecture support. She is a four-masted barque, a rig that balances power with efficiency for long ocean passages.

 

Length overall (LOA): approx. 115 meters

 

Beam (width): 13.5 meters

 

Draft (depth below waterline): 6.5 meters

 

Air draft (height of mainmast): 46 meters

 

Her 32 sails spread over 3,400 square meters of canvas, enabling the ship to harness the wind across oceans just as tall ships did centuries ago, but with modern navigation technology discreetly integrated into her classic design.

 

Crew and Cadets 👩‍✈️👨‍✈️

 

The vessel sails with a permanent complement of around 160 officers and sailors, along with up to 90 naval cadets on each voyage. For the young midshipmen of the Peruvian Naval Academy, BAP Unión is not only a classroom at sea but also a test of resilience, discipline, and teamwork.

 

On board, trainees rotate through every duty: sail handling, celestial navigation, engine room checks, and even ceremonial drills. Life at sea on the Unión is demanding, but the experience shapes the future leaders of the Peruvian Navy.

 

Modern Facilities at Sea 📚

 

Unlike her 19th-century predecessors, BAP Unión is equipped with facilities that blend tradition with modern education. The ship carries:

 

A dedicated auditorium for lectures and cultural events

 

Classrooms and a library for maritime studies

 

Modern living quarters, mess decks, and medical services for long voyages

 

This makes her a true “university under sail,” designed to prepare cadets not just in navigation, but also in diplomacy, leadership, and intercultural exchange.

 

A History of Voyages 🚢

 

Since her commissioning, BAP Unión has logged thousands of nautical miles on international goodwill cruises. Notable journeys include:

 

2017: First transatlantic voyage to Europe, calling at major ports such as Cádiz, London, and Hamburg.

 

2019: Pacific tour, including stops in Japan and South Korea, strengthening Peru’s ties with Asia.

 

2022: Participation in global tall ship events, where she stood out as one of the largest and most admired vessels present.

 

Each port visit is marked not just by naval ceremonies but also by cultural showcases, turning the Unión into a floating embassy of Peru.

 

Sailing Into the Future 🌟

 

As BAP Unión docked in Amsterdam, she once again reminded spectators of the timeless allure of tall ships. While her sails pay homage to maritime traditions, her mission is firmly rooted in the future – shaping the next generation of naval leaders while carrying Peru’s flag proudly across the seas.

 

⛵✨ A ship that is both history and hope, tradition and innovation – the BAP Unión continues her voyage as a symbol of Peru’s enduring connection with the ocean.

 

Picture: BAP Unión Official / @bap_union_oficial