JEP EXCLUSIVE
A REPLICA of an 18th-century Russian frigate – which has been navigating rejections from port to port in the wake of European sanctions as a consequence of the Ukraine war – has been met with a quiet refusal from Jersey’s harbour authority after asking to come to the Island, the JEP has learned.
Harbourmaster Captain Bill Sadler told the JEP that Ports of Jersey had been contacted earlier this year by those keeping Shtandart afloat, but did not have “capacity” to support a visit.
Built in St Petersburg in 1999, the ship takes after Peter the Great’s flagship frigate that formed part of Russia’s Baltic navy in the 18th century.
But it has been banned from entering a number of ports in the wake of European sanctions imposed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite changing its flag and receiving registration in the Cook Islands last year, the replica has continued to face disruptions to its sailing programme and was recently denied entry to a number of French ports – including St Malo.
A statement on the Shtandart website earlier this month said that the ship remained “caught in the storm of today’s geopolitics”.
“For over 25 years, Shtandart has sailed continuously – hosting adventurers, dreamers, and sailors of all backgrounds,” it stated.
“She welcomes everyone who longs for the wind in the rigging, the creak of timbers under sail, and the deep-rooted tradition of classic seamanship.
“But for over a year now, Shtandart has been denied access to ports.”
The statement continued: “Though she left Russia in 2009 and hasn’t returned since, the ship has become caught in the storm of today’s geopolitics – sanctioned not for what she does, but for where she was built (in Russia), and who her captain is (Russian).”
Shtandart is currently on its way to take part in a tall ships race in the UK and had previously cited the Channel Islands on its 2025 schedule.
Mr Sadler noted that Ports of Jersey worked with Jersey Customs and Immigration to understand sanctions issues and whether a vessel could visit the Island.
He said that Ports believed Shtandart was not currently being treated as a sanctioned vessel by the UK, but “did not have capacity” to support the recently-requested visit.
A ‘law abiding’ ship
The Shtandart’s website contains an open letter to the French maritime administration asking it to allow the “law-abiding” ship – that “upholds the values of peace and unity” – to participate in maritime festivals held in France.
It also has a section asking supporters of its “fight for the right of free sailing” to write to Members of the European Parliament.
