A replica 600BC Phoenician merchant ship, the Phoenicia, pulled into Manoel Island yacht marina after the final legs of an expedition covering 17,000 miles around Africa. The 20-metre long vessel, a traditionally built replica of a 600BC Phoenician cargo ship, is recreating the first circumnavigation of Africa achieved some 2,600 years ago.

Led by Philip Beale, the British captain and Adventure Travel director (www.pioneerexpeditions.com) and an international crew of 11, the Phoenicia is attempting to illustrate that Phoenician mariners could have achieved the first circumnavigation of ancient Africa 2,500 years ago in ships of their own construction. The Phoenicia was constructed in Arwad, Syria, using information from a 6th century Mediterranean wreck and traditional timbers and has since withstood some of the world’s most challenging sailing conditions during the two year circumnavigation of Africa.

This vessel is the only one of its kind in existence and will be in harbour for 3-4 days. Malta will be one of the final ports during the voyage before crossing the Mediterranean and returning to her homeland in Syria. For more information on the Phoenicia including a live satellite tracking device visit www.phoenicia.org.uk.