Germany’s Kiel Week 2016, the largest sailing event in the world, started June 18 and the port city is already brimming with navy and civilian ships from around the world.
However, one visitor was given a special welcome to the navy base by the Inspector of the German Navy Vice Admiral Andreas Krause as the Chief of the South African Navy Vice Admiral M.S. Hlongwane accepted the German invitation for an official visit to Kiel.
“This is my first visit to Kiel and the Kiel Week. However, I can already say that I have been heartily welcomed and that I value both the visit and the close cooperation between our navies,” Vice Admiral Hlongwane said.
The program subsequently led the South African delegation to Berlin on June 20. Staff talks between the two sides were held on Tuesday while the official five day visit is scheduled to conclude today, June 22 in Hamburg.
Kiel Week is often dubbed as the largest sailing event in the world held annually in the last complete week in June.
Apart from numerous boats taking part in races, the event is graced by a number of German and international navy vessels.
This year, German Naval Base Kiel will host navy ships from China, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Lithuania, the Netherlands and USA.