Iconic Peruvian Training Ship Coming to Dublin Port

Iconic Peruvian Training Ship Coming to Dublin Port

4 September 2025

Dublin Port will welcome one of the world’s most iconic tall ship training vessels this weekend with the arrival of Peru’s BAP Unión. The Peruvian Naval training vessel will be visiting Dublin between September 6th – 9th, and open for the public to visit at select times. The ship is currently on a European tour aimed at building closer bonds across trade, tourism, investment and cultural connectivity. 

BAP Unión is a steel hulled, four masted barque built between 2012-15 for the Peruvian Navy. She 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.  

As a sail training vessel she carries a crew of around 250 – 71 of whom are cadets – led by Peruvian Naval Officers. 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, His Excellency Jamie Cacho Sousa commented on the visit, “The arrival of the BAP Unión in Dublin is 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” 

Dublin Port Harbour Master Captain Michael McKenna commented on BAP Unión’s arrival, “It’s always a pleasure to welcome beautiful tall ships like BAP Unión to Dublin. These vessels are not only living reminders 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” 

The brilliant white tall ship will be berthed alongside Berth 47 due to her deep draft.  

BAP Unión will be open for the public to view on-board exhibitions on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with shuttles going from South Bank Road to her berth on Sunday.   

Public Visiting Hours: 

  • Saturday, September 6 → 14:00 – 17:00 hrs

    Sunday, September 7 → 10:00 – 17:00 hrs*

    Monday, September 8 → 10:00 – 12:00 hrs

 

*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. 

 

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.  

After Dublin, the ship will head to Vigo, Spain and then return home to Peru. Her European tour began on May 9th with her departure from the Port of Callao, in Lima, Peru, has made stops in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.