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Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich’s Two Superyachts Are Sailing Towards Each Other in the Mediterranean

Ship tracking platforms show that the billionaire’s yachts "eclipse" and "solaris" are relocating to the mediterranean, with no port destination specified., emma reynolds, emma reynolds's most recent stories.

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Russian oligarch and billionaire Roman Abramovich is on the move—and so are his superyachts.

After being slapped with sanctions in response to Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine, the billionaire was last seen on March 14 at an airport in Israel, where he has dual citizenship, according to Reuters .

Abramovich, who is currently worth an estimated $7.1 billion, according to Forbes , appears to be moving his yachts to safer waters. His 533-foot superyacht Eclipse , normally anchored year-round in the Caribbean, has been sailing east towards the Mediterranean since February 21, according to global ship tracking platform MarineTraffic. As of Wednesday, the ship is located off the coast of Algeria and is still sailing east with no port destination specified. The yacht, estimated to be worth over $600 million, is one of the largest and most expensive in the world , and seems to be cruising towards Abramovich’s other yacht, Solaris , in the Ionian Sea.

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Roman Abramovich’s “Solaris” superyacht.  Courtesy of Lloyd Werft

The 461-foot Solaris  is currently located in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece and heading south. Solaris was most recently at a port in Barcelona, where it had reportedly been receiving repairs since late 2021 . The ship left without declaring a destination. However, it’s possible both Solaris and Eclipse are heading towards each other and are even eyeing ports in Israel where Abramovich is considered safe from sanctions.

Though a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Abramovich has denied having close ties to the Kremlin. This hasn’t stopped dozens of nations, including the US, UK and several EU countries, from implementing sanctions and asset freezes on the oligarch. The sanctions are part of a concerted multinational effort to pressure Russia’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals to help bring Russia’s war on Ukraine to an end.

Perhaps sensing the economic pressures to come, Abramovich made headlines just days after the Ukraine invasion for stating his intention to sell his beloved Chelsea Football Club in London for $2.5 billion. The billionaire said all proceeds would benefit Ukrainian refugees and “victims of the war,” which, notably, may also include Russian soldiers.

Russian oligarch and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich appears to be seeking cover from international sanctions in Israel, where he has dual citizenship.  Associated Press

Russians own up to 10 percent of the world’s megayachts, so Abramovich is just one of many Russian billionaires who are moving their assets to avoid seizure by international authorities. This week, Italian police seized Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko’s 486-foot Sailing Yacht A, and earlier this month, France impounded the yacht Amore Vero , owned by Russian oil billionaire Igor Sechin. Other Russian billionaires have had their yachts impounded in other EU countries.

This isn’t the first time Russian oligarchs’ whereabouts have been made public. Florida teen Jack Sweeney, who once tracked Elon Musk’s jet, created a Twitter account —@RUOligarchJets—dedicated to tracking the private jets of Russian oligarchs, which is updated daily.

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Roman Abramovich’s two superyachts fled to sea this week after the Russian billionaire was included in another round of sanctions against the country’s richest individuals following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Abramovich-owned Solaris – a yacht with a $600 million price tag – was cruising off the coast of Italy as of Friday afternoon, according to the latest available tracking data from MarineTraffic.com .

The Solaris, which sails under a Bermuda flag, left a port in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, without declaring a destination. The superyacht had been undergoing repairs and was based at the Barcelona shipyard since late 2021.

Another of Abramovich’s yachts, the 533-foot, $700 million Eclipse , was last spotted sailing off the coast of Africa after departing from the Caribbean in late February, tracking data showed . The Eclipse set sail as international authorities began cracking down on Russia’s oligarchs by seizing their yachts and other prized property.

On Thursday, the United Kingdom slapped Abramovich and several other Russian oligarchs with a host of sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans.

The sanctions were the latest effort by the UK and other Western governments to increase financial pressure on Russia’s most wealthy and powerful individuals in an effort to bring Russia’s war on Ukraine to an end.

Get the latest updates in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with The Post’s live coverage.

The sanctions blocked Abramovich from his hasty bid to sell off his ownership stake in Premier League soccer club Chelsea FC. 

The British government said it would allow the team to continue playing games, but bar the club from selling tickets and merchandise.

Russian oligarchs have scrambled to move their yachts and sell or secure other assets during the crackdown.

European authorities have already seized several vessels, including a $120 million yacht belonging to Russian oil magnate Igor Sechin.

Abramovich is one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with a personal fortune estimated at nearly $8 billion, according to Forbes.

As The Post previously reported , Russia’s richest individuals have collectively lost tens of billions of dollars since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine – with sanctions causing the value of the Russian ruble to reach record lows and forcing the closure of the Moscow Stock Exchange.

With Post wires

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ECLIPSE Yacht – Epic $600M Superyacht

The ECLIPSE yacht was once the largest yacht in the world at an impressive length of 162.5 metres (533 ft) but currently ranks in second place after AZZAM.

Though she is known as the billion-dollar yacht, it is estimated that her true value lies between US $500 – $700 million.

The vessel can host 36 guests and is even rumored to feature a state-of-the-art anti-paparazzi system to protect the privacy of those on board.

ECLIPSE yacht interior

The interior (and the exterior) was designed by Terence Disdale , who has become one of the top names in the industry despite having no formal design education.

ECLIPSE was his largest project to date, and he also worked on prominent vessels such as A+ and AL SALAMAH. The interior of ECLIPSE is classically designed in a style that is to be expected from one of the largest yachts in the world.

The upholstery and furniture follow a beige and crème color palette with wooden accents.

The yacht’s 18 cabins can welcome 36 guests as well as 70 crew members, which is an unusually large number even for a vessel of this size.

A large dance floor, several fireplaces, two swimming pools, and two helipads are also included onboard.

The ECLIPSE yacht interior is so large that there is even a cinema dedicated exclusively to crew members. In 2015 the interior of ECLIPSE was refitted by Blohm and Voss in Hamburg.

Specifications

The ECLIPSE yacht is the second-largest yacht in the world with a length of 162.5 meters (533 ft), a beam of 22 meters (72.2 ft), and a draft of 5.9 meters (19.4 ft).

She was built by the German shipyard Blohm & Voss and delivered to her owner in 2010.

Four MTU engines power ECLIPSE and allow her to reach top speeds of 25 knots, although her average cruising speed lies at 22 knots.

Her total volume lies at 13564 tons making her not only one of the longest but also the heaviest yachts in the world.

Like the interior of ECLIPSE, the interior was designed by Terence Disdale. According to rumors, Abramovich fitted her with an anti-paparazzi system that detects electronic light sensors from digital cameras.

However, there is no proof of this, although many newspapers report its existence.

On deck are several swimming pools and jacuzzis, and the aft of the vessel features a sizeable beach club. The yacht has a sleek design that attests to Terence Disdale’s classical style.

ECLIPSE came to fame as being the most expensive yacht ever built at the time for an approximate price of US $500 million.

She has seen further improvements since her purchase by Abramovich in 2010 and it is often widely reported that she is worth US $1.2 – $1.5 billion.

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After five years of intensive design, development and construction, Eclipse left the Blohm+Voss yard in Hamburg on the 9th December 2010, to formally take her place as the largest superyacht in the world. Managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management, Eclipse features a diesel-electric propulsion system with generators powering rotating Azipod drives, dramatic exterior styling and a stunning interior design by London-based Terence Disdale Design, which has been responsible for all aspects of aesthetic design and layout, including the superstructure design, deck layouts, interior design and construction supervision.

Her accommodation includes an owner’s deck of 56 metres in length. The interior boasts hundreds of custom finishes exclusively developed for this project, while her deck areas include a 16 metre swimming pool, whose base can be raised to transform the area into a dance floor. The yacht can also accommodate three helicopters, one on each of the two helipads and the third in a storage hangar below the foredeck.

Eclipse was voted Motor Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards in 2011.

About ECLIPSE , brought to you by BOAT Pro

ECLIPSE, a 162.5 m Motor Yacht built in Germany and delivered in 2010, is the flagship of Blohm & Voss .

Her top speed is 21.5 kn, her cruising speed is 20.0 kn, and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 6000.0 nm at 21.0 kn, with power coming from four MTU diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 36 guests in 18 staterooms, with 66 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 13564.0 GT and a 22.0 m beam.

She was designed by Terence Disdale , who also designed the interior. Terence Disdale has designed 42 yachts and designed the interior of 78 yachts for yachts above 24 metres.

The naval architecture was developed by Blohm & Voss , who has architected 8 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

ECLIPSE is the 3rd longest yacht in the world. She is one of 70 motor yachts longer than 100m, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 3.95 kn above the average, her top speed 1.64 kn above the average, and her volume 6351.31 GT above the average.

ECLIPSE is currently sailing under the Bermuda flag (along with a total of other 37 yachts). She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Turkey. For more information regarding ECLIPSE's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: ECLIPSE
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Builder: Blohm & Voss
• Naval Architect: Blohm & Voss
• Exterior Designer: Terence Disdale
• Interior Designer: Terence Disdale
• Refits: 2021

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Roman Abramovich’s Yachts: Everything You Want To Know

You may be familiar with the jet setting lifestyle of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea football club, who has an estimated net worth of over $8 billion. He’s not just rich, he’s a man who loves yachts and loves them a lot. Not only does he own the Eclipse, the most expensive yacht in the world, he owns 15 other yachts that we know of. Clearly this is a man who enjoys ship life. Other Russian oligarchs like private jets, Abramovich likes private boats.

Up until 2023 it was believed Abramovich owned a mere 6 vessels, but new information bumps that number up significantly. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable examples of the vessels in the fleet and what we know about them.

The Eclipse Yacht

Roman Abramovich has the distinction of owning the most expensive yacht in the world, the Eclipse. It was built in Hamburg by Blohm and Voss in 2010 and was recently seen in Turkey where it is likely avoiding international sanctions against Russian billionaires which would confiscate the vessel.

How Expensive is the Roman Abramovich Yacht Eclipse?

The superyacht Eclipse is obviously the flagship of Abramovich’s fleet and it’s believed the initial construction price was $427 million. Though that’s obviously very expensive it wouldn’t technically make this the most expensive yacht in the world. However, rumor has it that Abramovich had custom additions put on the yacht including a security system fit for a small army, which boosted the total cost to $1.5 billion.

How Big is the Eclipse Yacht

For some years, the Eclipse was the world’s largest yacht at 533-feet. Other yachts have since surpassed that length but obviously it’s still an absolutely enormous vessel. It has a gross tonnage of 13,000 GT and a beam of just over 72 feet. It is the largest vessel Abramovich owns.

How Fast is the Eclipse Yacht?

It’s believed the Eclipse has a top speed of about 22 knots. This is provided by four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines.

What is the Eclipse Like on the Inside?

The interior of the Eclipse is well guarded and not many people have been on board. That said, there are some things we do know about the vessel and what Abramovich has had installed. To start with, the yacht has not one but two helicopter landing pads. It also has its own mini submersible and previously it had been reported that there were 3 landing boats but now we know that he has 8 support vessels of various kinds for the yacht.

There are quarters to house as many as 70 crew members making this yacht essentially a private cruise ship in terms of staffing and amenities. There is room for 36 guests as well.

It is rumored that the yacht has two swimming pools on board including one that is nearly 50 feet long, plus several hot tubs scattered throughout. The large pool has a retractable glass sunroof. The 18 guest rooms are said to contain full home 6-foot cinema screens for private viewings. For a group experience, the bow of the ship is also a cinema with a massive screen. Each guest room, of which there are 24, has its own jacuzzi and private security system.

There are spas on board and a disco as well, and unusual amenities like a full size pantry and gullwing doors that pull up to reveal a barbecue and pizza oven. The yacht’s guests can also enjoy an 830 square foot gym, massage room, beauty salon, beach club, sauna and portholes that offer a view inside the large pool. There’s even a wood-burning fire pit on the main deck for campfires. 

The ceiling in the 5,000 square foot master suite opens like a retractable dome in a sports stadium to give passengers a view of the night sky if they so desire.

The security on Eclipse is one of the things that gets talked about a lot and what is known about it is impressive. To start, the glass is all bulletproof. The hull is armor plated to prevent damage from direct attacks. There is an anti-paparazzi system installed which prevents digital cameras from taking photos when they’re aimed at the vessel, which is why you’ll see so few photos of it when it’s in use. Finally, there’s a sophisticated missile detection system that is able to detect missile attacks and launch its own counter attacks. So, yes, this yacht apparently has missile launchers on board, something usually reserved for military vessels.

What Other Yachts or Launch Boats Does Abramovich Own?

Journalists recently discovered that the Russian billionaire owns 16 yachts , about 10 more than previously known. Eight of these vessels are support ships for the Eclipse which was previously thought to just have three launch boats as support. These are the remaining 7.

The second most expensive yacht in Abramovich’s fleet, Solaris is 458 feet long, 11,011 tons and had a reported price tag of $475 million. Other sources say this is actually a $600 million vessel. It has room for 36 passengers in 18 cabins as well as crew quarters to handle up to 60 crew members at a time. These are just estimates based on the size and design of the yacht, however, as Abramovich is notoriously private when it comes to secure matters like these. This large yacht may have swimming pools inside and other amenities but little has been published in any yacht report about those features.

The top speed of the yacht is listed at 18 to 20 knots with a cruising speed of 14 knots and it features not just a pool but a helicopter landing pad on deck. Propulsion is provided by the largest ABB Azipod propulsion package ever used in a private yacht.

It’s said to contain over 2,000 square meters of glass including the largest panes ever used in a superyacht. 

The yacht, at last report, was moored in Turkey where it is not subject to international sanctions that have been levied against the Russian oligarch.

This would be Abramovich’s third most expensive yacht coming in at $38 million and 180 feet long. Designed by Amels, it is sometimes available for charter and can house 12 guests and 13 crew in its quarters. The yacht has a top speed of 15.5 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles The cruising speed is 13 knots.

The Garcon is actually larger than the Halo but costs less. It reportedly had a $20 million price tag but clocked in at 220 feet. Made by Damen Yachting, this is sometimes used as a support vessel as it was by its previous owner. It has space for 21 people in total.

The Garcon is a much faster yacht than some of its size, powered by 4 Caterpillar engines, that can reach 25 knots at full throttle. Normal cruising speed is 18 knots.

This is a $1 million Bluegame yacht that measures just a fraction of his larger boats, coming in at 40 feet.

Little is known about this particular yacht other than it measures 80 feet and was reported to have cost Abramovich $3 million.

This 162-foot, $11 million yacht has been moored in La Ciotat on the French Riviera since 2022. It was built in 1998 and features a 27.5 foot beam.  The vessel is powered by Paxman + Textron engines which produce 3442 hp each giving Sussurro a maximum speed of 46 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots making it one of the fastest yachts of its size in the world.

Moored in the Netherlands, this yacht measures 164-foot and reportedly cost $30 million. Powered by MTU diesel engines the vessel has a top speed of 23 knots. There is room on board for 12 guests in 5 staterooms, as well as a crew of 9.

The Bottom Line

Roman Abramovich owns the world’s most expensive yacht, the Eclipse, as well as many other yachts that, until recently, were hidden assets. Because of international sanctions against Russian oligarchs due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many of his yachts are subject to seizure in various countries so ownership of them was hard to determine. Even now it’s speculated he may own many others.

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Roman Abramovich’s Yacht Fleet Past & Present

Say what you want about the elite, but you can’t help but marvel and low-key admire their spending habits when it comes to luxury toys. While Roman Abramovich might only be Russia’s 12th richest man (with a net worth of 9.8 billion USD), he’s undoubtedly the one you’ve heard the most about.

A fortune that began with a toy doll company, Abramovich and his now ex-wife used its success as a catalyst to world domination through everything from oil to consumer goods.

Among his arsenal of past and present superyachts, the billionaire tycoon also owns a private Boeing 767 and Gulfstream G650, while his ex-wife Irina took the Dassault Falcon 900 during their divorce settlement.

The pricetags below of these Roman Abramovich yachts – past and present – are in Australian dollars.

A Complete List of Roman Abramovich’s Yachts

Sussurro – $146 million.

Rumour has it that Sussurro is now owned by his ex-wife by way of a divorce settlement, and is rarely used regardless as it is almost always docked in Antibes.

ECSTASEA – $154 MILLION

Ecstasea is one of the fastest large yachts around, with an impressive 43,000 horsepower at a length of 86 metres.

LUNA – $386 MILLION

This 115-metre monstrosity boasts dual helipads and was built by Lloyd Werft at Stahlbau Nord Shipyards. The world’s second largest expedition yacht, the LUNA was sold to Abramovich’s friend and Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov for 240 million Euro in 2014.

PELORUS – $386 MILLION

Clocking in at the same length and a very similar price tag, the Pelorus was built in 2003 by Lurssen and was briefly owned by a Saudi businessman before being sold to Abramovich the year after.

Optimised for long distance cruising, the Pelorus is without a doubt the sleekest of the tycoon’s line-up, with this vessel capable of 6000 nautical miles at 16 knots in a single voyage. Pelorus is now owned by Hong Kong businessman Samuel Tak Lee.

ECLIPSE – $643 MILLION

There’s no way Roman Abramovich could part from his flagship superyacht and the world’s largest by length at 163.5 metres. Known as the 1.5 billion dollar superyacht, Eclipse’s original cost price was realistically no more than 500 million USD.

Built in total secrecy by Blohm + Voss of Hamburg to custom request from Roman, Eclipse sports bulletproof windows, an advanced missile detection system and a provision to escape via submarine located at the bottom end of the yacht. Bond villain gadgets aside, its other amenities are things such as dual swimming pools and 20 jet skis.

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How many yachts does Roman Abramovich own?

Roman Abramovich owns five yachts named Sussurro, Ecstasea, Luna, Pelorus, and Eclipse

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Roman Abramovich’s yachts are worth $1.7 billion

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Antigua confirms Roman Abramovich owns two yachts moored on island

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The Antiguan government has established that two yachts moored in the Caribbean island belong to Roman Abramovich, confirming a Financial Times investigation that revealed the vessels appeared to be owned by the sanctions-hit oligarch.

The FT reported this week that boats docked in Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour were owned by a British Virgin Island company with ties to Abramovich, prompting the Caribbean nation to call on the UK government to help confirm whether the oligarch was their ultimate owner.

In a letter to the British High Commissioner to Barbados seen by the FT, Antigua’s minister of foreign affairs Paul Chet Greene said the island’s government had requested information on whether the owner of the BVI company, Wenham Overseas Limited, is on Britain’s sanctions list, in light of “persistent allegations by the Financial Times that the vessels could be owned by Mr Roman Abramovich”.

The letter then confirmed that the British High Commission had provided Antiguan authorities with a letter “from the Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands which states the beneficial owner of Wenham Overseas Ltd is Roman Abramovich”.

Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, has been placed under sanctions by the UK and the EU, though not by the US, for his allegedly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

While Antigua said this month that it would enforce all US, EU and UK sanctions on Russian entities and individuals, the island nation initially struggled to verify the ownership of the two boats.

Antigua’s confirmation of Abramovich’s ownership of the yachts raises the prospect that they could be seized . The letter noted that Antigua “will provide full assistance to the Government of the United Kingdom” if it receives a request under the two nations’ Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

British officials confirmed the government was in contact with the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda and was providing assistance. The UK said it would not comment on discussions.

The yachts in question — called Halo and Garçon — are worth about $38mn and $20mn respectively, according to valuation service VesselsValue.

Halo was built for Australian billionaire James Packer and was originally named EJI after the initials of his three children. However, the casino heir put the yacht up for sale a few months after it was delivered in 2018, reportedly because it was “too small”.

Garçon is a 67-metre explorer vessel designed to carry helicopters and an “armada of water toys”, and was built for Ukrainian billionaire Yuriy Kosiuk, who sold the so-called support yacht last year.

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Abramovich-linked yacht in Netherlands changed hands on day of Ukraine invasion

Exclusive: The 50-metre Aquamarine is under repair in dry dock in Vlissingen

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The 50-metre motor vessel, modest by oligarch standards, is covered in scaffolding and sitting under a hangar in dry dock, one of many such boats being refitted in the Dutch port of Vlissingen.

What sets the Aquamarine apart is that, until the day of the invasion of Ukraine, it belonged to Russia’s best-known businessman, Roman Abramovich , a Guardian investigation has revealed. On 24 February, ownership of the yacht passed from a company previously controlled by Abramovich to a close associate of his, the Russian businessman David Davidovich.

The Aquamarine is the fifth yacht to have been recently linked to Abramovich, who was placed under sanctions by the UK and EU for his reported links to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. His fleet includes two megayachts worth more than $1bn, which were scrambled to Turkey after Abramovich was blacklisted, and two smaller boats currently moored in the Caribbean.

Davidovich told the Guardian that he was the owner of Aquamarine as well as the Jersey-domiciled company MHC Jersey Ltd, which is registered as the owner of the yacht on the maritime database MarineTraffic.

“I can confirm that I am the owner of MHC Jersey Ltd and the Aquamarine yacht,” Davidovich said in a written statement.

Davidovich also said he was the majority owner of the British Virgin Islands-listed Norma Investments, an investment vehicle that is listed as the only shareholder of Aquamarine’s owner MHC Jersey Ltd, according to Jersey public record.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported , based on securities filings, that ownership of the Norma Investments, previously believed to be controlled by Abramovich, shifted to Davidovich the day Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February. The restructuring was seen by experts as a way to avert the possible freezing of some of Abramovich’s assets.

Norma Investments, which had been named as a company belonging to Abramovich in several public filings in the past, had served as a vehicle for venture capital investments.

A separate entity called MHC (Services) Ltd also disclosed that Davidovich had taken control of the company on 24 February. MHC (Services) is registered at Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge stadium, although it is not connected with the club and provides consultancy services.

Both Davidovich and representatives of Roman Abramovich did not reply to requests for comment on Abramovich’s links to Aquamarine. Representatives of Abramovich said the oligarch was not the ultimate beneficiary of MHC Jersey Ltd.

Aquamarine is undergoing repairs at Damen Shiprepair, a Dutch firm that specialises in the construction and repair of luxury yachts. A source at the shipyard who asked for anonymity said that it was generally understood that it had been Abramovich’s yacht.

Aquamarine was built by the Dutch firm Heesen , who delivered it in 2021. At the time of construction, the luxury-lifestyle magazine Robb Report priced it at $40.3m (£33.8m).

Heesen on its website describes the vessel as a “fast-cruising aluminium semi-displacement yacht with crisp design language and enviable appeal … A shallow draft of only 2.15m makes her a versatile cruising yacht for both the clearwater bays of the Bahamas and the Mediterranean sea”. It can accommodate up to 12 people.

According to the source at the Damen shipyard, Aquamarine was brought in to Vlissingen for “structural changes”, on 16 November 2021 but the source said no work has been done on the ship since 10 March, the day the UK sanctioned Abramovich.

“Only the crew onboard is allowed to work on the boat. But Damen or any other subcontractors are not working on it.”

The Netherlands on Wednesday announced that 14 unnamed yachts linked to Russian sanctioned individuals – 12 of which are still being built – were seized by Dutch customs authorities as part of EU’s sanctions against Russia.

There is nothing to suggest that Aquamarine was among the vessels seized.

Dutch customs officials and the foreign ministry declined to comment on the ownership and status of Aquamarine, citing the country’s strict privacy laws. Damen also said it did not comment on the status of individual clients.

Davidovich said: “To my knowledge, Aquamarine is not subject to any sanctions.”

While a number of Russian sanctioned billionaires have seen their megayachts confiscated across ports in Europe , the former Chelsea owner has taken steps to avoid such a fate by moving his two giant vessels – the 140-metre Solaris and the 163-metre Ecliples – to Turkish ports last month beyond the reach of western sanctions.

Abramovich has not publicly commented on why the two vessels were moved to Turkey.

The Financial Times earlier reported that two more yachts linked to Abramovich were currently moored on the Caribbean Island of Antigua. The government of Antigua has since confirmed that the two yachts moored on its territory belonged to Abramovich.

• Roman Abramovich
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Reporting by Joan Faus and Catarina Demony; Editing by Nathan Allen, Aislinn Laing and Sandra Maler

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A pro-Kremlin oligarch's impounded yacht is being auctioned off — with the money going to Ukraine

• A Dutch auction house is selling the seized yacht of a pro-Kremlin oligarch, per a Ukraine agency.
• Ukraine said it's the first seized asset to be sold to help support the country.
• The move is a "turning point" that could pave the way for similar efforts abroad, it said.

A Dutch auction house is gearing up to sell a yacht belonging to a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch, the first time a seized asset is being sold and the funds sent to Ukraine, according to Ukraine's Asset Recovery and Management Agency .

The agency, a governmental body responsible for finding, tracing, and dealing with assets derived from corruption and other crimes, said Troostwijk Auctions would manage the sale of the 92-meter-long yacht.

The MY Royal Romance was owned by Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian lawmaker who had his Ukrainian citizenship revoked for his pro-Russian activities.

The US sanctioned Medvedchuk in March 2014 for his alleged role in the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, and Ukrainian counterintelligence officers arrested him in April 2022 after he was charged with treason.

He was swapped for 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war in September 2022 after requesting such an exchange shortly after his arrest, according to the Security Service of Ukraine .

Selling yachts owned by those sanctioned by Ukrainian and Western governments has proved to be a headache .

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Many of the yachts are "frozen" — not seized — and technically don't belong to overseas governments, meaning they can't be sold without special permission.

As BI previously reported , Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted many governments to enact sanctions against Russia's richest , including seizing superyachts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

But over two years later, it's still unclear whether they can be sold or, indeed, who'd buy them.

Ukraine's Asset Recovery and Management Agency described attempts to sell the Royal Romance as 10 months of "tireless" work.

It also described the move as a "turning point" that could pave the way for more similar efforts in Ukraine and abroad.

The "sale of Medvedchuk's yacht is not only symbolic, as it can be the first impetus and demonstration to the entire community that the assets of traitors to Ukraine will be used for the benefit of Ukraine," it said.

The agency did not specify where or when the auction would take place. It also failed to mention the expected price tag.

Ukraine's Asset Recovery and Management Agency and Troostwijk Auctions did not immediately respond to BI's request for comments.

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