OPEN LETTER TO ABERDEEN PORT AUTHORITIES AND THE PUBLIC

Regarding the Denial of Port Entry to TS Shtandart in Aberdeen
14 July 2025
To Whom It May Concern,

The sail training ship TS Shtandart has been denied entry to the Port of Aberdeen. As a result, the ship and her crew have been excluded from the list of participants in the 2025 Tall Ships Races.
We have learned of this decision by the Aberdeen Harbour Board with deep regret and disappointment.
The explanation given refers vaguely to “Regulation 57A” of the Russia (Sanctions) Regulations. We find this decision to be unjust and made without proper investigation. No opportunity was given for us to present evidence or documentation.
Let us be absolutely clear:
TS Shtandart is not a Russian ship.
The only remaining link to Russia is the country of birth of the ship’s captain — a long-time resident of Germany, a taxpayer there, and someone who left Russia over a decade ago. He has dedicated his life to education and youth development at sea, without setting foot in Russia for many years.
The ship has not visited Russia in over 15 years. It does not fly the Russian flag. It carries no political message.
TS Shtandart is registered under the flag of the Cook Islands. It is owned by a Finnish citizen, operated by a German company, and run by an international crew. It has no ties—direct or indirect—to the Russian Federation.
This ship is not a threat. It is a symbol of what the Tall Ships Races are meant to represent:
A floating classroom. An ambassador of peace. A bridge between generations and nations.
Since its launch, nearly 10,000 young people from more than 50 countries have sailed aboard Shtandart. They learn not only seamanship, but also cooperation, mutual respect, and how to live and work together across cultures.
This is the core mission of the Tall Ships Races.
In the aftermath of war, the founders of Sail Training International believed that when young people sail together, they build friendships that rise above politics, history, and borders. That mission is more important than ever today.
If we begin excluding ships not for what they do—but for assumptions or distant associations—we risk losing the heart of this movement.
We fully support the need to enforce sanctions with integrity. But the careless or overly cautious application of sanctions to ships like Shtandart serves no real security purpose. It does, however, cause real harm—to individuals, to trust, and to the values we share.
We understand that the language of the UK’s Russia-related sanctions is broad. It puts pressure on local port authorities, who must interpret rules without clear guidance. The fear of unintentionally violating the law is real.
But this time, it has gone too far.
We do not question the integrity of Aberdeen’s officials. We believe they are acting under pressure, in a difficult position. But even in these conditions, there is a choice: to apply the law fairly, with reason and responsibility.
We call on the Port of Aberdeen to reconsider its position. If it cannot, we ask that the public and other host cities take note:
A peaceful ship has been turned away—not for what it is, but for where it once came from.
This is not only a bureaucratic mistake. It is a moral failure.
This is not just about one ship. It is about whether fear will replace facts—and whether we will stay true to the ideals that brought us together under full sail.
TS Shtandart sails not for any state, but for all people.
Let her sail with you.

With respect and hope,
Владимир Мартусь
TS Shtandart
www.shtandart.eu
On behalf of our international crew, our partners in education and culture, and the thousands of young people who believe that a better world can be built—from the deck of a ship.