A replica 600BC wooden expedition vessel, the Phoenicia, docked at the Port Elizabeth Harbour yesterday after visiting East London.

The ship was built in Syria 18 months ago and is sailed by a crew of 10 multinational volunteers who are attempting to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa, accomplished by Phoenician mariners in 600BC.

The ship has sailed the Red Sea and even had to evade Somali coast pirates.

She departs from Port Elizabeth tomorrow for Mossel Bay.