The event was organized by International Assosiation of Sailing Sport, the city authorities and the port authority of Antwerp. The conference was attended by representatives of national sailing associations, city administrations, captains and ship owners from all over the world.

A unique project of our expedition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica and the 75th anniversary of the Victory over fascism was presented by the honorary member of Sail Training International, Deputy Head of foreign students department of BSA RF Pavel Kovalishin.

The expedition has two stages. The first one is devoted to the discovery of Antarctica. Three Rosrybolovstvo sailing vessels will take their own routes firstly, then make joint maneuvers and take part in the 200-mile regatta. After that, the second stage of the expedition will begin, dedicated to the Victory in the Great Patriotic war. Totally the vessels will call at more than 40 ports in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. "Sails of Peace" has a mission to remind the planet about the role of Russian pioneers and heroes as well as about the spirit of national Maritime traditions.

The round-the-world expedition of three training sailing vessels is an unprecedented event in modern Maritime history.