H.K.H. PRINS JOACHIMS TALE 

Dear guests,
It is a pleasure to welcome you here tonight on board Training Ship DANMARK in these beautiful surroundings of Rio de Janeiro. Welcome to the many representatives from Danish industry, officials from the Olympic delegation, government officials and a special welcome to our Brazilian honoured guests here tonight. I hope we may all enjoy a wonderful evening together.

Tonight Training Ship DANMARK represents Denmark and Danish culture. As protector of Training Ship DANMARK I am particularly proud to be able to celebrate the good and thriving  cooperation between Denmark and Brazil, together, we have succeeded in a building a unique maritime education cooperation between our countries. Our cooperation actually stands on ancient and proud seamanship traditions that were established long before our time by the Vikings. They were the first Danes to sail the seven seas – and we are proudly following their lead. I am sure this voyage was a lot more convenient, compared to the Vikings, although Training Ship Denmark is a mature, but still beautiful, 82-year-old lady.

In this perspective the role of preparing young cadets for the life at sea is a serious obligation, which Training ship DANMARK is happy to share with our partners here in Brazil.  In the coming month, the ship will be the symbol of proud sailing traditions, and anchored in a most impressive location I am that the ship will be a source of inspiration, pride and encouragement for all the athletes as they compete for medals in the bay and elsewhere in Rio de Janeiro.

For Danish companies who seek to strengthen business relations with the Brazilian markets the ship’s Olympic Voyage and stay in Rio de Janeiro is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to draw attention to Danish products and services in the middle of a global event. In the coming months the ship will be filled with Brazilians and Danes and will be the meeting place to discuss business initiatives, new possibilities – and perhaps a little sport. Let’s hope that our counties will benefit from the victory of good cooperation and cultural understanding.

I would like to thank the 80 trainees the ship’s crew and captain, Brazilian’s, Danes and other nationalities, who have sailed almost 6,000 nautical miles in order to make this special event possible. It is truly a great endeavour.

By crossing the Atlantic Ocean by sail you all represent the essence of genuine seaman spirit of cooperation and teamwork. You have worked together in an international environment and learned how to overcome obstacles, solve real problems and stay on course, despite cultural differences. A vital lesson in life that I hope you will make use of for the rest of your lives.

The Olympic Voyage is the result of a year-long cooperation between maritime educational institutions from Denmark and Brazil. In the past three years, the exchange programme between our countries have made it possible forconvinced  marine engineer students from MARTEC to study and intern in Brazilian companies and Brazilian trainees from the Directorate of Ports and Coasts, cadets from the Naval academy CIAGA and CIABA have studied at MARTEC and sailed with Training Ship DANMARK. Bonds of friendship have been tied, and I hope they will continue to bring future value to students and cadets in both countries.

The voyage would not have been possible without generous donations from the Danish maritime industry. Donations were received from Den A. P. Møllerske Støttefond, Lauritzen Foundation, HEMPEL Foundation, TORM Foundation and DS NORDEN/ORIENTS Foundation.

Thank you for your support and for demonstrating how education and industry can work side by side towards common goals.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Consul General Jens Olesen, who has being working very hard and for a very long time with CEO Pia Ankerstjerne and the rest of the Steering Committee of the Olympic voyage and not least the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro.  It is impressive that you managed to make this dream come through.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast to everyone on board – and in the Oympic spirit wish all of you the best of luck in the coming Olympic month, whatever your goals may be.

Thank you for your attention.