A documentary about Peter the Great was released on Dutch channel NPO 2. Of course, the film crew also came to “Shtandart” – after all, our frigate is not only an educational project, but also a part of world history.

You can watch the episode of the series “Interview with History” [here].

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Dear Sirs,

11 July 2025

I am writing on behalf of the ownership and management of the vessel TS SHTANDART, a traditionally-built sailing frigate (Call Sign E5U5236, MMSI 518999255), registered under the Cook Islands flag, to seek clarification on the ship’s legal status under the UK’s sanctions regime against the Russian Federation.

We presume that you may have already reviewed this vessel in response to a request from Aberdeen Harbour. We respectfully urge you to reconsider the situation, now with the benefit of the full supporting documentation enclosed.

We sincerely hope that, upon review, you will recognize that TS SHTANDART is not affiliated with the Russian Federation and does not fall under the scope of UK sanctions. Consequently, we hope you will permit her participation in Tall Ships Races and allow future port calls in the United Kingdom.

Clarification of Vessel Identity

Please ensure we are discussing the correct vessel: TS SHTANDART, a sailing frigate bearing MMSI 518999255. We are aware that at least one other vessel named Shtandart (IMO 9816828 / MMSI 273397290) reportedly belongs to Mr. Alexey Miller, who is subject to UK sanctions. We are also aware of a luxury motor yacht carrying the same name, believed to be linked to Russian oligarchs.

We emphasize that TS SHTANDART is a completely unrelated ship: a wooden sailing ship built in 1999, with no connection to these other vessels or their owners.

1. Flag State and Legal Jurisdiction

Since 6 June 2024, TS SHTANDART has been registered in the sovereign registry of the Cook Islands, a jurisdiction entirely independent of the Russian Federation. Under international maritime law and the jurisdiction of the Cook Islands flag, TS SHTANDART is not subject to any direct or indirect Russian control and thus should not fall under UK sanctions targeting Russian entities or interests.

(Please refer to Annex 1 – Certificate of Registry, and Annex 2 – Radio License.)

2. Ownership and Management

The vessel is owned by a Finnish citizen. All legal and financial operations—management, funding, and operational agreements—are conducted through Martus TV GmbH, a company registered in Hamburg, Germany since 2011, within the jurisdiction of the European Union. Neither the owner nor the company appears on any UK sanctions list.

The captain and managing director of Martus TV GmbH is Mr. Vladimir Martus, who has resided in Germany since 2011, pays taxes there, and is covered by German pension and healthcare systems. He does not reside in, nor conduct business with, the Russian Federation. We are ready to provide full supporting documentation, including German residence permits and proof of permanent residential address since 2011.

(Please refer to Annex 4 – Declaration by Vessel Manager.)

3. Operational History and Purpose

• Since its launch in 1999, TS SHTANDART has served as an educational and cultural vessel, funded exclusively through non-Russian sources.
• In 2009, following threats and attempts to seize the vessel by individuals connected to the Russian administration, the ship was forced to leave Russian territorial waters under tow—and has never returned since.
• Official correspondence from French and Spanish maritime authorities confirms that this traditionally built wooden vessel is exempt from SOLAS and other maritime conventions. It is therefore not subject to conventional sanction criteria. (See Annexes 5, 6, and 7.)
• The maintenance of this historic replica requires significant funding. As an example, we include a bank statement from Martus TV GmbH (Annex 8) showing income received from participation in maritime festivals—income taxed and documented within the EU.
• The re-registration under the Cook Islands flag was conducted with full legal oversight by French attorney Emmanuel Marchand, La Rochelle. His legal opinion confirming the legitimacy of the vessel’s documents and ownership is available upon request.
• There have been no voyages to or from ports in Russia or Crimea, nor any transit through Russian-controlled maritime zones. No goods or cargos from the Russian Federation have been handled on board.

4. Relevance to UK Sanctions Policy

According to the UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, sanctions enforcement targets specific persons and entities affiliated with the Russian Federation. Transport controls (civil penalties or license denials) apply to vessels owned or controlled by designated individuals or entities. No such affiliation exists in the case of TS SHTANDART.

5. Legal Challenge to EU Sanctions Language

We enclose an excerpt from a legal filing before the European Court of Justice, which challenges the broad and vague language of recent EU sanction documents that inadvertently restrict the rights of the vessel owner. This case underscores our commitment to achieving justice through legitimate European legal channels.

6. Cultural and Educational Significance

Over the years, the ship has visited more than 175 ports across nineteen countries and welcomed some 9,700 trainees from over 50 different nationalities. Each visit brings educational outreach, multicultural celebration, and local camaraderie. This grassroots diplomacy—far removed from governmental agendas—naturally promotes mutual understanding and respect to all cultures.

Since 2001, TS SHTANDART has been an active participant in the Tall Ships Races (formerly the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races), whose core mission is fostering intercultural exchange and understanding among youth from both sides of former geopolitical divides.

Sail Training International, the organizer of said events, has recently initiated a petition to the participating ports in this year’s Tall Ship Race, requesting support of the Shtandart by extending their welcome to the ship (see Annex 10). After a careful consideration of the facts, the Norwegian port of Kristiansand has already replied with their warm invitation to Shtandart and her captain (Annex 11)

Today, Shtandart’s peaceful mission of education and heritage continues. We invite you to explore TS SHTANDART’s public communications:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frigate_shtandart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frigate.Shtandart

These platforms promote seamanship, intercultural dialogue, and inclusion. What they do not contain are symbols of the Russian Federation or support for the unlawful war initiated by President Putin against Ukraine.

We were recently featured in an article on the front page of the Irish Times following our brief anchorage outside of Dublin. The article discusses the controversy surrounding the ships legal standing, but also attests to the fact that Shtandart was enthusiastically received by the general public.:

(See Annex 12 – Press Coverage.)

Not only is Shtandart innocent of sanction violations —it embodies our highest shared values as global citizens. Its international crew, volunteer‑driven governance, and unwavering commitment to intercultural exchange make it a vessel of hope. Far from fostering division, its voyages bring communities together, bridge language and heritage, and sow seeds of peace and friendship across borders.

Request

In light of the above, we respectfully ask the Department for Transport to:

• Confirm that TS SHTANDART is not subject to UK Russia-related sanctions and is permitted to access UK ports.
• Advise what additional documentation (if any) may be required to fully clear the vessel for future operations within UK jurisdiction.

We would greatly appreciate your timely response and are fully prepared to supply any further materials as needed.

Very best regards,

Capt Vladimir Martus

TS Shtandart

+49 1516 703 1703 mobile, Whatsapp & Telegram

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His appearance is well earned. The Shtandart, an exact replica of the first flagship of the Russian navy which was constructed by tsar Peter the Great in 1703, has only docked at port a handful of times in the last year.

Read the full article by Conor Galagher on The Irish Times

The post The Irish Times : On board the sanctioned ship in Killiney Bay appeared first on Shtandart.

It was built in 1999 and describes itself as “an active sail training ship”, under the flag of the Cook Islands.

The ship’s captain, Vladimir Martus, told RTÉ News that it was sailing from St Malo in France to Aberdeen in Scotland, with 22 people from 12 nations on board.

“The Shtandart is simply a replica vessel. We are not a Russian vessel. Shtandart is, and always has been, dedicated to education, heritage, and human connection. We are a homeless child in European waters, and we are fighting for survival,” he added.

Read the full article by Philip Bromwell on RTE

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Although not officially invited, but present at Gulf Week 2025, the Shtandart has not been subject to a prefectural order prohibiting it from anchoring, as was the case in Finistère in 2024. But it remains a pariah ship. How are the volunteer sailors coping with this situation? Report from on board.

A happy day on the Shtandart, the replica of Tsar Peter the Great’s frigate, recognizable by its yellow hull. This Friday, May 30, 2025, the training sailboat took on board around sixty tourists.

“We haven’t been able to do this for over a year,” explains the captain, Vladimir Martus

Read the full article in Le Télégramme

The post Le Telegramme: “I want the ship to survive” : aboard the Shtandart, the pariah ship that continues to train sailors appeared first on Shtandart.

A portrait of one of the most famous in its class, the Shtandart.
This ship, which has been particularly talked about in recent years in a tense geopolitical context due to the bans surrounding its presence on French territory, is not officially registered for the Semaine du Golf festival.
But the organizators has made it known that it is welcome.

A look back at the history of this unusual frigate.

France 3 Bretagne

The post France 3 : Shtandart at the Semaine du Golfe festival appeared first on Shtandart.

The sailing ship Shtandart has been caught up in European Union sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine despite working for the last 15 years in countries of the bloc, said its captain, Vladimir Martus.

The shipowner, master and manager sought a fast-track decision from the Court of Justice of the European Union to try to have the port ban lifted.

The decision was opposed by the European Council and rejected by the court this week. 

Martus is now hoping that a full ruling in the coming months will reverse a decision and allow the ship to call into EU ports.

“We hope to survive until the court decision”

Read the full article in the TradeWinds

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The Russian three-masted ship Shtandart has been unable to dock for over 2.5 years as a result of international sanctions against Russia. The AD.nl spoke with Captain Vladimir Martus, who once helped build the Batavia in Lelystad. Using dinghy, he brings supplies to the ship.

“I understand the pain of Ukrainians, but the ship is in danger,” he said.

The captain Vladimir Martus (58) leaves the cabin and shows the Shtandart and the surrounding area via a video connection.

……

This is a wooden ship, a copy of a ship from the 18th century. The masts are high and if the anchor does not reach the bottom in strong winds, the Shtandart is in danger. In this part of the ocean there can be very strong storms in winter.

Read the full article in AD.nl (in Dutch)

The post Shtandart Has Been Adrift for 2.5 Years Due to Sanctions appeared first on Shtandart.

The post The Forbidden Ship: A Journey on the “Shtandart,” Which Is Banned from Every Port appeared first on Shtandart.

In La Rochelle our friends are now – the famous sailing ship Belem.  So tourists and locals  have the opportunity to see and to visit two tall ships in one port.

Our crew and volunteers, of course, also visited Belem – thanks to the 1st mate Charles for a wonderful excursion!

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