German President Steinmeier sets sail at Bremerhaven tall ship parade

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was sailing aboard the training ship Gorch Fock in the port of Bremerhaven on Wednesday, as the city is set to welcome hundreds of vessels as part of its traditional tall ship festival on the North Sea.

Steinmeier greeted the crowd and waved to the onlookers as the vessel sailed past, marking the start of the Sail Bremerhaven 2025 festival.

As patron, Steinmeier is set to officially open the five-day international event in the afternoon.

The parade of sailing vessels is led by the training ship Alexander von Humboldt II, accompanied by numerous recreational boats. Thousands of spectators are expected to crowd along the promenade in the blazing sun to witness the spectacle.

Around 250 ships from 16 nations are expected in Bremerhaven by Sunday, including historic expedition ships, naval vessels and cruise ships.

The festival is considered one of the largest tall ship gatherings in the world and has been held every five years since 1986. This year, organizers are expecting around 1.2 million visitors.