ABERDEEN is set to host the largest fleet of The Tall Ships Races this summer as the event returns to the city for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Organisers are on track for their target of welcoming 50 tall ships to the Port of Aberdeen, as hundreds of thousands of visitors expected by organisers to attend the event.
The vessels taking part includes 17 Class A tall ships. The Races berth in Aberdeen from 19 to 22 July.
Race registration is open until May 1 and Aberdeen’s most recent ship sign-ups are Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc, the youngest of Poland’s tall ships’ Fryderyk Chopin, and LOA, a three-masted schooner hailing from Denmark.
The Tall Ships Races 2025 will take the fleet through Le Havre, Dunkirk, Aberdeen, Kristiansand, and Esbjerg, promising an unforgettable summer of international maritime celebration.
Vanessa Mori, deputy CEO of Sail Training International, said: "All the host ports will offer incredible experiences for the fleet, but six months out, it’s clear that many will converge in Aberdeen. The city’s rich maritime heritage and warm hospitality make it the perfect destination for these spectacular ships and their crews."
The event, billed as Europe’s largest free family event, is expected to draw 400,000 visits over its vibrant four-day programme from 19 to 22 July, making it Aberdeen’s biggest event "in a generation".
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman said: “As we arrive at the six-month countdown stage to Tall Ships 2025, it is a perfect opportunity to look forward to even more magnificent vessels from around the globe on their journey to Aberdeen for the city’s spectacular festival in July.
“44 – and counting – is a tremendous number of confirmed vessels at this stage. Each ship and its crew will play a huge role in bringing in crowds from far and wide in what will be a great economic and cultural boost for Aberdeen.”
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, said: “The response so far from The Tall Ships fleet has been incredible and we’re delighted that Aberdeen appears to be the port of choice for 2025. From the magnificent navy training ships to smaller yachts, and everything in between, we can’t wait to welcome the international crews to sample the delights of Aberdeen.
More than 900 people already applying to volunteer and 300 sail trainees hoping to join a crew on voyages from Dunkirk to Aberdeen or Aberdeen to Kristiansand.
Applications for sail trainees, open to those aged 15 to 25 living in an AB postcode, and volunteers, aged 16 and over and available for a minimum of three shifts, close on 31 January.
