Hamburg’s harbour is celebrating its 822nd anniversary with a Harbour Festival which began with an ecumenical service at the accompaniment of the Oslo Cathedral Choir and the De Tampentrekker Shanty Choir.

This was followed by the official opening parade of ships sailing in harbour.

Against the backdrop of Hamburg’s harbour, the Cap San Diego – the world’s largest seaworthy civilian museum ship – led the parade, followed by tall ships and frigates as well as boats belonging to the harbour police, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, and the fire brigade.

During the three-day festival there are luxury liners and cruise ships – the sort of vessels every sailor dreams of, said a spokesman for the organisers.

Some 500 showmen and promoters are providing shipping fans with sustenance and information and the ships are open to visitors. There are also launches and passenger boats available for those who want to join the parade.

The spokesman said that those who were after a romantic at­mosphere were sure to enjoy the Harbour City Light Festival.

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