TS SHTANDART

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Former Russian tallship banned from Aberdeen due to sanctions

The TS 'Shtandard' was banned from Aberdeen harbour, as the city prepares to welcome nearly 50 vessels for the Tall Ships Races - the first time Aberdeen has hosted the event since 1997. The TS 'Shtandart', a registered Russian vessel until June 2024, released an open letter to the Granite City's port authorities ahead of the Tall Ships Races 2025 kicking off on July 19, 2025. They confirmed in the letter that they had been excluded from the event's list of participants, with Russian (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 introduced following the invasion of Ukraine. Vessels owned, controlled, chartered or operated by designated persons with links to Russia, and ships flying under the Russian flag or registered in Russia, are prevented from entering ports in the UK under the legislation. The captain, Vladimir Martus, was born in Russia, but the open letter stated that he left Russia over a decade ago, adding that the ship now was sailing under the Cook Islands flag and has not returned to Russia in 15 years The Sail Training International stated, that Aberdeen was not a confirmed stop for the ship, and its captain, Vladimir Martus, was fully aware of the situation: "Sail Training International appreciate the difficult position the vessel and her captain find themselves in and we recognise the captain’s and his crew’s commitment to promoting youth development and to fostering international understanding. Sail Training International also fully respects the rulings of the higher national and international authorities and is committed to supporting the local organising teams in each of the ports in upholding existing rulings and legislation."