MS Taras Shevchenko
MS Taras Shevchenko was a Soviet-built Ivan Franko-class cruise ship that later operated under Ukrainian ownership before being scrapped in Bangladesh in 2005.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
MS Taras Shevchenko was a cruise and passenger ship built in East Germany for the Soviet Union and operated initially by the Black Sea Shipping Company. Although its Wikipedia title includes “1965” as a disambiguator, the vessel was delivered in 1966. It was named after Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian poet, painter, and national cultural figure. The ship was the third vessel in the Ivan Franko class, a group of large passenger ships constructed by V.E.B. Mathias-Thesen Werft in Wismar for the Soviet Union’s national maritime system. The vessel was originally expected to be the final ship in its class. Morflot, the Soviet national shipping organization, subsequently ordered two additional sister ships, making Taras Shevchenko the middle member of the expanded series rather than the last. It was delivered to the Black Sea Shipping Company on 26 April 1966 and entered cruise service. During its Soviet career, the ship underwent a reconstruction that enlarged its forward superstructure, changing its external profile and providing additional accommodation or operational space. In 1989, the ship was chartered to the German travel company Jahn Reisen under a five-year arrangement. The charter continued through the political and constitutional changes that accompanied the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As Soviet state assets were reorganized, Taras Shevchenko was transferred to the state of Ukraine. When the Jahn Reisen charter ended in 1995, the vessel moved to Blasco UK and was reflagged to Monrovia, Liberia. It was also rebuilt at Odessa during that year, reflecting an effort to adapt the aging ship for continued commercial cruising. In 1997, Taras Shevchenko was sold to Ukraine-based Ocean Agencies and continued operating in cruise service. Its commercial career then became increasingly unstable. In June 1998, while preparing to depart on a three-week cruise, the vessel was arrested in Piraeus, Greece, because of the company’s financial difficulties. It was laid up at Ilichevsk in July 1998 and remained inactive for approximately five years. The ship returned to service in 2003 under Antarktika JSC, another Ukraine-based operator. This later venture targeted Ukrainian customers, but it failed to secure a commercially viable charterer. The vessel was consequently sold for demolition in 2004. It was renamed Tara during the disposal process. Scrappers in Alang, India attempted to acquire the ship but were outbid; final dismantling took place in Chittagong, Bangladesh, in 2005. The ship therefore represents both the international reach of Soviet passenger shipping and the difficult transition faced by older vessels and maritime operators after the Soviet Union’s collapse.
History
MS Taras Shevchenko was constructed at V.E.B. Mathias-Thesen Werft in Wismar, East Germany, as the third member of the Ivan Franko class of passenger ships. The class was commissioned for the Soviet Union’s national maritime system, and the vessels were intended for long-distance passenger and cruise operations. Taras Shevchenko was initially planned as the final ship in the series, but Morflot ordered two further sister ships, changing its position within the class. It was delivered on 26 April 1966 to the Black Sea Shipping Company, one of the Soviet Union’s principal maritime operators, and entered cruise traffic. The ship was named for Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian poet, painter, and cultural figure. Its name connected a Soviet passenger vessel with an important Ukrainian historical and literary identity. During its Soviet service, the ship was rebuilt with a larger forward superstructure. The modification altered the vessel’s appearance and formed part of its continuing use as a substantial cruise and passenger platform. A major change came in 1989, when the ship was chartered to Jahn Reisen for a five-year period. The arrangement placed the vessel in an international tourism context and continued during the political upheaval surrounding the end of the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet state, ownership of the ship passed to Ukraine. When the Jahn Reisen charter concluded in 1995, Taras Shevchenko was transferred to Blasco UK and reflagged to Monrovia, Liberia. In the same year it underwent another reconstruction at Odessa. The vessel was sold in 1997 to Ocean Agencies, a Ukraine-based company, and continued to be used for cruises. Its later commercial history was marked by financial and operational difficulties. In June 1998, while preparing for a three-week voyage, it was arrested in Piraeus, Greece because of financial problems affecting the company. It was laid up at Ilichevsk the following month and remained there for about five years. Antarktika JSC brought the ship back into service in 2003, with cruises directed toward Ukrainian customers. The attempt did not secure a sufficiently viable charterer, and the aging vessel was sold for scrap in 2004. During the disposal process it was renamed Tara. Although shipbreakers in Alang, India competed for the vessel, the successful destination was Chittagong, Bangladesh, where dismantling was completed in 2005. Its career reflects the transition from Soviet state shipping to fragmented post-Soviet ownership, international chartering, and eventual retirement of an older cruise ship.
- 2005
Scrapped in Chittagong
[1]After being sold for demolition and renamed Tara, the ship was dismantled in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
- 2003
Returned to cruise service
[1]Antarktika JSC returned the vessel to service with cruises aimed at Ukrainian customers.
- 1998
Arrested in Piraeus and laid up
[1]The ship was arrested in Greece over operator financial problems and was laid up at Ilichevsk in July.
- 1997
Sold to Ocean Agencies
[1]Ukraine-based Ocean Agencies acquired the vessel and used it for further cruise operations.
- 1995
Reflagged and rebuilt at Odessa
[1]After the German charter ended, the ship was transferred to Blasco UK, reflagged to Monrovia, and rebuilt at Odessa.
- 1991
Transferred to Ukraine after the Soviet dissolution
[1]During the Jahn Reisen charter, the breakup of the Soviet Union resulted in the ship being handed over to the state of Ukraine.
- 1989
Chartered by Jahn Reisen
[1]The vessel began a planned five-year charter with German travel company Jahn Reisen.
- 1966
Delivered to the Black Sea Shipping Company
[1]Built by V.E.B. Mathias-Thesen Werft in Wismar, East Germany, the ship was delivered on 26 April 1966 and entered Soviet cruise service.
Products and positioning
A Soviet-built international passenger and cruise ship that served as a state-operated liner, a German-chartered cruise vessel, and later a Ukrainian-operated cruise asset.
Cruise ship · 1966
MS Taras Shevchenko
The vessel’s principal offering was passenger and cruise transportation. Built as an Ivan Franko-class ship for the Soviet Union, it operated in cruise traffic for the Black Sea Shipping Company, later served under international charter and Ukrainian ownership, and was eventually adapted for cruises marketed to Ukrainian customers.
Brand decisions
2003
Attempted Ukrainian-market relaunchStrategyBackground
After approximately five years laid up at Ilichevsk, Antarktika JSC sought to return the ship to commercial operation.
Action taken
The vessel was relaunched for cruises aimed at Ukrainian customers.
Aftermath
The venture failed to attract a viable charterer, contributing to the decision to sell the ship for scrap.
1995
Transfer to Blasco UK and reflaggingStrategyBackground
The end of the Jahn Reisen charter coincided with the ship’s transition from its Soviet-era operating context to post-Soviet ownership and management.
Action taken
The vessel was transferred to Blasco UK, reflagged to Monrovia, Liberia, and rebuilt at Odessa.
Aftermath
The ship continued in cruise service and was sold to Ocean Agencies two years later.
Recent events
- 2005
Vessel renamed Tara and dismantled in Bangladesh[1]
Other
After being sold for scrap and renamed Tara, the former cruise ship was dismantled in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
- 2003
Taras Shevchenko returns to Ukrainian-focused cruise service[1]
Other
Antarktika JSC returned the laid-up vessel to cruise operations and sought to attract a Ukrainian customer base, but the venture did not obtain a viable charterer.
- 1998
Ship arrested in Piraeus amid operator financial problems[1]
Lawsuit · Bankruptcy
Taras Shevchenko was detained in Piraeus, Greece, shortly before a planned three-week cruise because of financial problems affecting its operating company.
- 1989
Jahn Reisen begins a five-year charter[1]
Other
The ship was chartered by German travel company Jahn Reisen, linking its Soviet operating history with the Western European cruise market.
- 1966
MS Taras Shevchenko delivered to the Black Sea Shipping Company[1]
Product launch
The East German-built Ivan Franko-class passenger ship was delivered on 26 April 1966 and entered cruise service for the Soviet Black Sea Shipping Company.
Sources1 sources
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