Request for Proposal: Host Port Partnership for Tall Ship Port Events

2025: TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Great Lakes 

Celebration of the 200^th Anniversary of the Opening of the Erie Canal

Each year, Tall Ships America musters a fleet of tall ships from around the world to port cities around America to celebrate the role of traditional sail in American history and highlight the current relevance of the tall ships in maritime workforce development, employability and building leaders of character. Working with local port partners, we coordinate and facilitate events that feature tall ships at the dock, sail training activities onboard alongside local maritime heritage and waterfront activities.

The 2025 Series of tall ship events returns to the Great Lakes to recognize and celebrate the 200^th Anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal with the highly visible and well-regarded TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Series of tall ship races. For the sixth time since 2001, Tall Ships America will promote sail training and the safe and effective ship operations of professional, volunteer and trainee crew as the fleet of international vessels race from port-to-port.

Request for Proposal: Host Port Partnership for TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Great Lakes 2025

Together with our host port partners we engage and educate people of all ages to explore education, training and adventure opportunities available at the waterfront, onboard and under sail. These events are highly visible opportunities for the ships to showcase their programs of education, workforce development and cultural exchange as they welcome thousands of people onboard.

Every host port has unique requirements and varied experience with hosting large vessels at the dock and every waterfront has its own maritime heritage. Tall Ships America provides quality standards and a wealth of expertise to enhance the safety and success of a tall ship port event. Together, the partnership creates an opportunity to celebrate an international tall ship fleet on a local stage. The responses in this Request for Proposal provide the information necessary to initiate a Host Port Partnership and schedule a tall ship port event in the context of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Series in 2025.

Please take the time to fill out the form below so we can better assist you. Once your form has been reviewed, we will contact you for additional information.  If you would prefer to email a document, the below information is required as part of the submission. Sample documents to include: Event site details (map or diagram), current soundings at docking location, channel approach and/or harbor, and budget. Email to erin@tallshipsamerica.org.