Polish vessel on centenary tour in SA
THE historic arrival of one of the largest sailing vessels in the world, Dar Młodziezy of Poland, in the city coincided with South Africa and Poland’s signing of a memorandum of understanding that strengthens relations between the two countries.
That’s according to Poland’s Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation Marek Grobarczyk, who boarded the navy training vessel with Polish Ambassador to South Africa Andrzej Kanthak and various South African officials to welcome it.
Grobarczyk said the Dar Młodziezy’s visit to Cape Town and other countries this year commemorates Polish independence and promotes his country.
Highlighting yesterday’s signing of the memorandum by himself and Transport Minister Blade Nzimande, Grobarczyk said: “Of course, this is a very important time for us to regain (Polish) independence, as well as to commit our co-operation with the countries the vessel will be visiting.
“The ship will stay here a few days, but of course the most important issue was the meeting with the Minister of Transport and Minister of the Treasury.
“We exchanged views and we set points for future co-operation and, of course, prepared the ground for co-operation between the ports.
“South Africa plays a very important role as a shipping port economy, and I think that our relationships… with the ports to shipping and developing transport is very important to us to set future close relations.”
He said the predecessor of this ship went around the world visiting this and other countries 100 years ago. This time the ship is sailing around the world in celebration of the centenary anniversary of the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty in 1918.
Dar Młodziezy will visit 22 ports around the world.
The 94.80m long and 50.22m high ship will be open for the public to visit from 10am to 1pm today at the V&A Waterfront, Jetty 2, opposite Table Bay Hotel.