Gazpromneft Marine Bunker to provide fuel for A-class ships participating in SPb leg of TSR-2009

Gazpromneft Marine Bunker LLC (subsidiary of Gazprom Neft OJSC) being a sponsor of St. Petersburg leg of THE TALL SHIPS’ RACES BALTIC- 2009 (TSR-2009) will bunker A-class tall ships participating in St. Petersburg leg of TSR-2009, PortNews IAA learnt from Vladimir Kuchinski, coordinator of the Port Committee on St. Petersburg leg of TSR, upon completion of the meeting summarizing the results of arranging the event to be held in St. Petersburg in July 2009. Gazpromneft Marine Bunker will provide free diesel fuel for some 24 tall ships. 

International regatta of training tall ships has been regularly held since 1956. They had different names like Operation SAIL and Cutty Sark. Present name of the regatta is the Tall Ships’ Races.  Main purpose of the regatta is to support intellectual and physical youth development, character building, promotion of healthy lifestyle among the youth, popularization of marine professions, development of tolerant attitude and making friendly relationships between young people around the world, strengthening international relations. Races are held by International non-profit organization Sail Training International – global Association of training tall ships. Cities, hosting regatta, are chosen by strict selection 3-4 years before the event. St. Petersburg has already hosted fleet The Tall Ships’ Races in 1996 and is honored to host it again in 2009.  On July 11 – 14, 2009 more than 100 tall ships and over 2,000 young sailors will come to St. Petersburg.