Italy’s iconic training ship Amerigo Vespucci steamed into Québec City on 22 July as part of its North America Campaign 2026, a globe-spanning public-diplomacy mission organised by the Italian Navy and Defence Ministry. The visit kicks off five days of open-deck tours, cultural performances and business events designed to strengthen people-to-people ties and support Italian exporters. With more than 1.5 million Canadians of Italian heritage, demand for access passes has been brisk. The Italian Embassy in Ottawa coordinated a bespoke online registration platform and worked with Canadian border authorities to waive standard crew-visa requirements under a bilateral facilitation agreement. On 25 July, the ship will host the launch of Vinitaly.USA, bringing together Italian wine producers, the Italian Trade Agency and North American buyers. Mobility planners moving executives to the event should note that hotel capacity in Québec City’s Old Port area is limited; overflow accommodation is being arranged in Lévis with shuttle ferries across the St Lawrence. The Vespucci’s presence is also a test bed for Italy’s ‘floating consulate’ concept. Consular officers on board will process passport renewals and civil-status registrations for Italians resident in Eastern Canada—an approach the Foreign Ministry is considering extending to future naval deployments in Asia-Pacific. After departing Québec on 27 July, the ship will call at Montreal before continuing to Boston and New York. Businesses involved in port-call events can contact the embassy’s economic office for temporary-import carnet assistance.
Source: Embassy of Italy in Ottawa
