ITS Morosini Port call and visit of the Italian Navy in Manila

From the Manila Times (Jul 6, 2023): ITS Morosini Port call and visit of the Italian Navy in Manila

PORTcall of the Italian Navy Ship (ITS) Vessel "Francesco Morosini" in Manila from July 7 to 11. Visit of the representatives of the Italian Navy and Ministry of Defense aimed at strengthening the cooperation with the Philippine Armed Forces and the Department of National Defense.

The Italian vessel ITS "Francesco Morosini" will make a port call in Manila 7-11 July, 2023 as part of a five-month naval campaign in the Indo-Pacific region. ITS Morosini visit reinforces the cooperation between Italy and the Philippines in order to promote naval diplomacy along with freedom of navigation, respect for the international law of the sea and a safe and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Entirely built in Italy at Fincantieri's Integrated Shipyard, the ITS Morosini is named after the Doge of Venice who successfully commanded the Venetian Republic fleet in the XVII century in numerous naval battles against the Ottoman empire.

For the occasion, representatives of leading Italian defense companies such as Elettronica, Fincantieri and Leonardo will accompany the visit.

The Morosini measures 143 meters in length, 16,5 meters in beam, and 8,2 meters in draught. She has a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 kilometers) at 15 knots (28 kph).

On July 7 ITS Morosini will arrive in Manila together with a delegation of the Italian Navy General Staff lead by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Fleet, Rear Admiral (UH) Fabio Gregori, arriving directly from Rome. In the morning, the Office of Naval Intelligence and Operation Fusion Center of the Philippine Navy holds a welcome ceremony to the both Italian and Philippines authorities.

A press conference will be held on July 8 from 11:00 to 12:00 aboard the Morosini with the participation of the Ambassador of Italy to Philippines, Marco Clemente, along with the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Fleet, the Commanding Officer of ITS Morosini, local media (upon registration at stage.manila@esteri.it) and Armed Forces of the Philippines' house organs.

Selected members of the Italian and diplomatic community, as well as members of the Philippine Government, Congress and Armed Forces were invited on July 9 from 10:00 to 11:00 for a Holy Mass, that will be celebrated on the Ship for the Italo-Philippine community, as well as for a cocktail on board. For security reasons, participation to the reception is limited to the guests invited by the Embassy and the Commanding Officer of the Ship.

Other activities include a visit of the Secretary General Department of National Defense and a few friendly goodwill games on July 10 between the Morosini's Crew and the Philippines Navy.

When leaving Philippines on July 11, ITS Morosini will perform a joint passing exercise (Passex) with a Philippine Navy Ship.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/07/06/public-square/its-morosini-port-call-and-visit-of-the-italian-navy-in-manila/1899444