Antwerp (Brussels Morning) – The ARC Gloria a Colombian Navy training ship arrived in Antwerp for a four-day visit open to the public as part of its global tour celebrating the Colombian Navy’s 200th anniversary.
The training ship ARC Gloria of the Colombian Navy arrived in Antwerp this morning. The ship which is 56 meters long will be moored at the Scheldt quays at Het Steen for four days. During this time the public is invited to visit the ARC Gloria for free.
The ARC Gloria: Colombia’s Majestic Ambassador and Training Ship on a Global Tour
The ARC Gloria is a three-masted barque that serves as both Colombia’s and the Colombian.Navy’s ambassador across the globe. Constructed in Bilbao Spain in 1967 the ship represents Colombia’s message of peace and friendship to the world symbolizing the country’s values.
Beyond its symbolic significance the ARC Gloria also functions as a training vessel for the Colombian navy currently hosting 73 naval cadets onboard to complete their training as future sailors.
The ship’s current visit to Antwerp is part of its global tour celebrating the Colombian Navy’s upcoming 200th anniversary. The tour aims to promote Colombia worldwide and will take the ARC Gloria to various European ports including Lisbon, Livorno, Marseilles, Barcelona, Antwerp, Stockholm, Kiel, Amsterdam and London.
The public can visit the ARC Gloria during its stay in Antwerp which will last for four days. The ship will be open for free visits,allowing people to explore its deck and learn more about its history and role in the Colombian Navy.
Antwerp’s Special Connection with Colombia: Tropical Fruits and Coffee Trade
This big three-mast ship will be hanging out at the Antwerp cruise spot this weekend. They call it the ARC Gloria a super tall ship. Next year in 2026 there’s gonna be another round of the Tall Ships Race cruising through Antwerp. Sometimes in between these races Antwerp’s port gets a visit from other sailing ships. Just last month the Polish three-mast ship Dar Mtodziezy was there. It brought back the first-year students from the Maritime Academy after their month-long internship.
Antwerp a key European port shares a strong bond with Colombia through the import and export of tropical fruits and coffee. The city serves as the primary European import port for tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples and avocados sourced from Colombia.Antwerp holds the distinction of being the largest coffee port globally facilitating the import and distribution of coffee beans including those from Colombia. This trade relationship underscores the significant role Antwerp plays in the importation of these goods contributing to the economic ties between Belgium and Colombia while meeting the demands of European markets for tropical produce and coffee.
