The BAP Unión at SAIL 2025 – Peru flies its flag in the heart of Bremerhaven

Bremerhaven, August 14, 2025.
Even days before the first sails appeared on the horizon, a special excitement hung over the city. Hotels were fully booked, streets lined with flags, posters, and barriers. Every five years, SAIL Bremerhaven transforms the city on the Lower Weser into a center of maritime affairs. More than 250 ships were announced this time – and with them hundreds of thousands of visitors from Germany and abroad.

Anyone who comes to SAIL for the first time expects noise, crowds, and spectacle. And yes, there is some of that. But in the midst of it all, you find moments that are quieter, clearer, more impressive. That was the case when the BAP Unión sailed into the harbor on August 13th.

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Enter with dignity

At midday, the ships sailed up the Weser in a long line. Music played, ship's horns blared, and spectators clapped on the shore. Some ships arrived with a show of their own: sails spread wide, flags fluttering on deck, crews waving. But when the Unión appeared, the mood changed.

A white hull, almost 116 meters long, four slender masts, the golden bow with the Inca figure. The crew stood on deck in dress uniform, impassive, disciplined. No exaggerated gestures, no noise. And that was precisely what fascinated the crowd. The people fell silent for a moment, looked up at the rigging – and then applause erupted. Applause that seemed less joyful than reverential.

It was clear that this ship wasn't just a participant. It was a statement.

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A place that fit

In Bremerhaven's New Harbor , the Unión was given one of the best locations anywhere. Directly on the promenade, close to the streams of visitors, with sweeping views of the water and the city. Anyone taking even a tour of the Harbor Worlds inevitably passed by.

And so, on the very first day, crowds gathered. Selfies in front of the bow, children on their parents' shoulders, older visitors with binoculars. Many hadn't previously known that Peru had a ship of this size. Now it was there, in the middle of Germany, and everyone could see it.

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On board – clear lines, calm tones

Anyone who climbed the gangplank wasn't entering a museum or a fair. It was immediately apparent: This was a naval vessel. The deck was immaculately polished, the brass parts gleamed, and the order was conspicuous.

The crew welcomed visitors in a friendly but unobtrusive manner. Those who had questions received answers. Those who simply wanted to look around could do so in peace. No crowds, no entertainment. Just true seamanship and discipline.

“Casa Perú” – presence without kitsch

Naturally, the Unión took the opportunity to show off a piece of their homeland. On board, there was a stall – simple but effective. There were woven textiles, jewelry, and ceramics . No plastic wares, no over-the-top souvenirs. Instead, genuine handcrafts, carefully selected.

Many visitors started conversations and asked questions about patterns and symbols. It didn't feel like a sales booth, but rather like a small ambassadorial space. This made all the difference: The goal wasn't to make quick sales, but to make something of Peru visible and tangible.

The SAIL – a sea of nations

SAIL itself was a real folk festival. Along the quays, one stall after another lined the waterfront: fish sandwiches, beer stalls, handicrafts, music. In the afternoon, street performers thronged the crowds, children held cotton candy, couples strolled hand in hand. Flags from all over the world flew above everything – and masts reached into the sky everywhere.

In the evening, the scenery transformed. Spotlights bathed the ships in light, music wafted from the stages, and fireworks exploded in the sky. But even then, the Unión remained different. While some ships exuded a party atmosphere, it lay quietly, illuminated, dignified. Those passing by paused again. Many took photos, others simply paused for a moment.

Impressions that stick

It was small scenes that shaped the picture:

• A child who stared up for minutes and at one point said: “No house is that high.”
• An old sailor who murmured quietly: “This is seafaring.”
• Groups of young people who were initially interested in selfies – and then stayed longer than they had expected.

The Unión achieved something that not many ships achieve: it aroused curiosity, but it also had a lasting impact.

Technical key data – viewed soberly

A ship that stays

As the sun disappeared behind the roofs of Bremerhaven that evening, the Unión still lay brightly illuminated in the harbor. Her masts traced lines in the sky, her hull reflected in the water. People streamed by, many pausing to take a look, some returning for a second or third time.

SAIL is a festival full of impressions, music, fireworks, and hustle and bustle. But the Unión remains in our minds because it didn't need any of that. It demonstrated presence through calm, impact through poise, and strength through dignity.

Peru, with its BAP Unión, not only participated, but also secured a place in the memory of this SAIL.