On a calm morning in early June, the world's third largest tall ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, arrived into Dublin on a four-day courtesy call, the first since 1999.

This 113 metre, four-masted schooner built in Cádiz in 1928 is the midshipmen training vessel for the Spanish Navy. Each year she carries out a six-month training course, mostly outside of Spanish waters. Of the 85 cruises todate, ten have been world circumnavigations. When visiting foreign ports, Juan Sebastian de Elcano also acts as floating embassy, welcoming aboard Spain's diaspora.

Juan Sebastián de Elcano arriving into Dublin. Photo courtesy of the Spanish Tourism Office

The ships is named after a notable Spanish sailor who made one of the biggest exploits of Spanish maritime hisitory. In 1519 he enlisted as a navigation expert in a five-day expedition ordered by the Emperor Charles the First, which departed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda under the command of Magellan. The mission was to find a new route to the Spice Islands.

GAC Training & Service Solutions (GTSS), the maritime training arm of global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), has been awarded a four-year training contract with Chevron Shipping Company. It is the largest maritime training contract ever to be awarded in Ireland.

 Back Row L-R Christer Sjodoff (GAC), Julie Sinnamon (Enterprise Ireland), Orla Battersby (Enterprise Ireland), Minister Richard Bruton TD

Front Row L-R Conor Mowlds (GAC NMCI), Terry Luke (Chevron)

Under the new agreement, GTSS will train Chevron Shipping’s junior officer corps with basic skills training and provide engine room workshop skills for its junior engineers, while more than 450 officers from around the world will receive maritime training through GTSS at the National Maritime College of Ireland facility in Cork, Ireland.