Amsterdam festival Sail bans Russian tall ships from taking part this summer

SAIL Amsterdam has decided not to allow Russian ships at the maritime event in the Dutch capital this summer. That means that some of the largest tall ships in the world will be absent from the sailing event. Locals told AT5 that they understand the decision.

“As a maritime event, we are closely linked to the Royal Netherlands Navy, and we are not blind to what is happening in the world,” Chris Janssen of SAIL explained the decision to AT5. “At the moment, inviting Russian ships is not appropriate. I think people will understand that.”

The Russian ships include the eye-catchers the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern. The Sedov is the largest still-sailing traditional tall ship.

Amsterdam residents told the local broadcaster that they understand the decision to ban Russian ships from the event. “Let those ships stay in Russia,” one woman said. “It’s bad enough what’s going on there, we don’t need to pay extra attention to it here.” Another passerby agreed, adding that “there are plenty of other beautiful ships.”

During the past edition of SAIL in 2015, the event attracted 2.3 million visitors to Amsterdam, making it the largest event in the Netherlands. This year, the event will include around 800 invited ships from the Netherlands and abroad. Thousands of other ships and boats will also sail on the IJ during the arrival.

SAIL Amsterdam is happening from August 20 to 24.