{"id":4691,"date":"2025-07-12T15:08:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T13:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shtandart.eu\/?p=4691"},"modified":"2025-07-14T21:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T19:50:57","slug":"clarification-regarding-applicability-of-uk-russia-related-sanctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shtandart.eu\/fr\/clarification-regarding-applicability-of-uk-russia-related-sanctions\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarification regarding applicability of UK Russia-related sanctions"},"content":{"rendered":"

To:
Transport Sanctions Team<\/strong>
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR
United Kingdom<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Messieurs,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 July 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am writing on behalf of the ownership and management of the vessel TS\u202fSHTANDART<\/strong>, a traditionally-built sailing frigate (Call Sign E5U5236, MMSI 518999255), registered under the Cook Islands flag, to seek clarification on the ship\u2019s legal status under the UK\u2019s sanctions regime against the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We sincerely hope that, upon review, you will recognize that TS\u202fSHTANDART 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarification of Vessel Identity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please ensure we are discussing the correct vessel: TS SHTANDART<\/strong>, a sailing frigate bearing MMSI 518999255. We are aware that at least one other vessel named Shtandart<\/em> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We emphasize that TS\u202fSHTANDART is a completely unrelated ship<\/strong>: a wooden sailing ship built in 1999, with no connection to these other vessels or their owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Flag State and Legal Jurisdiction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 6 June 2024<\/strong>, TS SHTANDART has been registered in the sovereign registry of the Cook Islands<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Please refer to Annex 1 \u2013 Certificate of Registry<\/a><\/strong>, and Annex 2 \u2013 Radio License<\/a><\/strong>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ownership and Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vessel is owned by a Finnish citizen. All legal and financial operations\u2014management, funding, and operational agreements\u2014are conducted through Martus TV GmbH<\/strong>, a company registered in Hamburg, Germany since 2011<\/strong>, within the jurisdiction of the European Union. Neither the owner nor the company appears on any UK sanctions list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The captain and managing director of Martus TV GmbH is Mr. Vladimir Martus<\/strong>, who has resided in Germany since 201<\/strong>1<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Please refer to Annex 4 <\/a>\u2013 Declaration by Vessel Manager<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Operational History and Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n