largest yacht owned by russian billionaire

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World’s largest yacht, linked to Russian billionaire, seized by Germany

The shipbuilder behind the world’s largest yacht by tonnage describes it as “one of the most complex and challenging yachts ever built,” with “entertainment and recreation spaces never before seen on” such a vessel, and an interior of “rare and exclusive luxury materials.”

It has two helipads and the largest yacht pool ever built, and it can accommodate 36 guests and 96 staff. And this week, it was impounded by German authorities for its ties to a Russian oligarch.

Germany’s federal police said Tuesday that “through extensive investigations despite offshore concealment,” it found that the yacht is owned by Gulbakhor Ismailova, the sister of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

After police confirmed with Brussels that the vessel’s owner was sanctioned, the superyacht — named Dilbar, after Usmanov’s mother, according to the U.S. Treasury Department — was impounded. It is being held in the Port of Hamburg in Germany.

Meanwhile, in Fiji, police are reportedly investigating a superyacht, suspected of being owned by Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov , which docked in the Pacific island nation this week.

The Dilbar, the yacht impounded in Germany, is registered in the Cayman Islands, according to the Treasury Department, and worth between $600 million and $735 million, with an estimated annual running cost of $60 million.

There are larger yachts by length. But at 15,917 tons, the Dilbar is the world’s largest yacht by internal volume, according to the ship’s maker, Lürssen, which touts its “classic profile with a light ivory hull and bronze accents.”

Usmanov is “known to be close to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin as well as Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia and former President and Prime Minister of Russia,” the Treasury Department said, alleging that his ties to the Kremlin “enrich him and enable his luxurious lifestyle.”

In the early days of the invasion, President Biden warned Russian oligarchs: “We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.”

U.S. hunt for Russian oligarchs’ huge fortunes faces barriers offshore

The United States said on March 3 that it had sanctioned Usmanov, alleging he was among the “key elites” allowing Putin to wage his war on Ukraine. Experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe determined in a fact-finding report published Wednesday that Russia broke international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians during its invasion of Ukraine. The United States and other nations have accused Russia of committing war crimes there, and Biden on Tuesday said Putin was committing “ genocide ” in Ukraine.

Usmanov, 68, is the 86th-richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of $19.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index . He has “vast holdings across multiple sectors” of Russia’s economy and internationally, the Treasury Department said, including a 49 percent stake in USM, a holding company that controls Russia’s largest iron ore producer, according to Bloomberg.

A representative for Usmanov was not immediately available, and USM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the Fiji case, an official at the National Police Command and Control Center told Reuters that the captain of the vessel, which arrived Tuesday, was being questioned about how it came to Fiji without customs clearance.

Kerimov has been sanctioned by the United States, Britain and the European Union, but questions about the ownership of the luxury vessel remain. Police have seized the superyacht, called the Amadea, a 348-foot vessel worth $325 million, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The U.S. Embassy in Suva told the Fiji Times it is “cooperating with Fijian authorities on the matter” and is “committed to finding and seizing the assets of the oligarchs who have supported the Russian Federation’s brutal, unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine.”

Adela Suliman in London contributed to this report.

From Russian oligarchs to tech CEOs, here's who owns 10 of the most expensive luxury yachts in the world

• Rising Sun superyacht is valued at $200 million and was purchased by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison in 2004.
• Dilbar, seized by German police from a Russian oligarch, is valued at $735 million.
• These are 10 of the most expensive yachts in the world.

Rising Sun, valued at $200 million

Rising Sun superyacht is valued at $200 million and was purchased by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison in 2004, according to Robb Report .

Rising Sun was later purchased again by Geffen Records executive David Geffen in 2010, according to Club Yacht . Geffen also owns another yacht called Pelorus and his yachts have been frequented by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, according to the outlet.

Aviva, valued at $250 million

Aviva, valued at $250 million is 323 feet long and was built in 2017, according to Robb Report . The boat is so large that it has a paddle tennis court that doubles as an indoor soccer field in its interior, according to the outlet.

Andreas Hering, the project manager of the shipyard where the boat was constructed, told Boat International that "in three years" to "build a big yacht around a padel tennis court was the main brief, I guess."

Octopus, valued at $200 million

Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is valued at $200 million, according to Robb Report.

The boat can accommodate 12 guests in 13 different cabins, according to Yacht Charter Fleet . The boat also has a dance floor and a movie theatre, according to the outlet.

Radiant, valued at $300 million

Radiant, a superyacht built for Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky in 2010, is 360 feet long and worth $300 million, according to Robb Report.

The boat can accommodate up to 20 guests and 44 crew and sports a beauty salon, gym, pool, and jacuzzi, according to the outlet.

Dubai, valued at $400 million

The "Dubai" megayacht, owned by United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is 532 feet long and is worth around $400 million, according to Architectural Digest .

Topaz, valued at $527 million

Topaz was built in Germany for the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Dubai realtor LuxuryProperty.  

The nearly 500-foot yacht has a helicopter pad, gym, pool, and cinema hall, according to the realtor. Mansour owns Abu Dhabi United Group, which acquired Manchester United FC in 2008. 

Eclipse, valued at $600 million

The 533-foot Eclipse superyacht is valued at $600 million, according to the luxury magazine Robb Report .

The Eclipse is owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, one of 16 yachts and vessels that he owns, according to Forbes .

Azzam, valued at $600 million

Azzam is the largest and one of the fastest yachts in the world, according to Architectural Digest.

The boat took around three years to build and sits at 590 feet long and can travel at a speed of 35 miles per hour, according to the outlet.

Azzam is owned by the family of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the Second President of the United Arab Emirates before his death in May 2022.

Al Said, valued at $600 million

The 508-foot Al Said sits in the Lürssen shipyard in Germany and was purchased by the former Sultan of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2008 for $600 million, according to Robb Report.

The yacht can travel up to 25 miles per hour and has a concert hall that can accommodate a 50-person orchestra, according to the outlet.

Dilbar, valued at $735 million

Dilbar, owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, is the largest superyacht in the world and it's valued at $735 million.

In April 2022, the yacht was impounded in Germany . German federal police said they seized the yacht after an investigation into "offshore concealment" and determined that Usmanov's sister is the owner of the yacht. The boat remains at a shipyard in Hamburg, Germany.

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16 superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs

Western sanctions over moscow's invasion of ukraine led to many luxury vessels being detained in europe.

March 23, 2022

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A multimillion-dollar superyacht once owned by a Russian oligarch has gone to auction

Dustin Jones

The Axioma superyacht, seen in Gibraltar in March, once belonged to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky. The vessel was seized last March in accordance with sanctions imposed by Britain and the European Union. It will be auctioned off Tuesday, with the proceeds going to JP Morgan Chase. JON NAZCA/REUTERS hide caption

The Axioma superyacht, seen in Gibraltar in March, once belonged to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky. The vessel was seized last March in accordance with sanctions imposed by Britain and the European Union. It will be auctioned off Tuesday, with the proceeds going to JP Morgan Chase.

A superyacht once belonging to a Russian billionaire went to auction Tuesday in the British territory of Gibraltar. The vessel, estimated to have a value in the tens of millions of dollars, was seized in March as part of Western sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Gibraltar's Admiralty Marshal was tasked with appraising and selling the yacht, which received 63 bids, according to court documents. Its official appraised value is "a confidential matter which cannot be disclosed," although outside estimates reportedly place it anywhere from $42 million to $75 million. Details about who ultimately purchases the vessel and for what price will be made public when the transaction is complete.

Measuring 236 feet long and weighing over 1,600 tons, the Axioma is a sight to behold. It can accommodate 12 guests in six cabins — along with a 20-person crew in 12 other rooms — and features a gymnasium, full-service spa, infinity pool and luxury cinema, as stated on the Howe Robinson Partners auction site.

The cost to charter the Axioma for a week runs an average of roughly $500,000 , not including other operating costs, according to Yacht Charter Fleet.

The former owner of the ship is Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, once Russia's largest steel pipe manufacturer and currently worth $2 billion, according to Forbes . Unfortunately for Pumpyansky, he was sanctioned by Britain and the European Union after the invasion.

Other superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs have been detained as a result of the sanctions, but the Axioma is the first to be sold off, the Guardian reported.

Despite calls for the proceeds of the sale to benefit Ukraine, the funds will instead be paid to JP Morgan Chase. According to the Guardian, the international bank had a loan agreement with Pumpyansky's holding company, Pyrene Investments.

However, the sanctions against Russia prevented JP Morgan Chase from accepting payments from the holding company, breaching the agreement, and the bank filed a legal claim to have the vessel seized and sold at auction.

Other superyachts belonging to Russian elites have been detained all over the world — including the Amadea, which was seized in Fiji at the request of the United States in May. That $300 million yacht belonged to Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian gold producer worth over $12 billion, according to Forbes .

The fate of the Amadea is uncertain, however; it, too, could be sold to the highest bidder, which would be in line with President Biden's aims to hold Russian oligarchs accountable for their role in the invasion and, potentially, use the proceeds to aid Ukraine.

10 of the most impressive superyachts owned by billionaires

From a sailing yacht owned by a russian billionaire industrialist to the luxury launch of the patek philippe ceo, here are the best billionaire-owned boats on the water….

Words: Jonathan Wells

There’s something about billionaires and big boats . Whether they’re superyachts or megayachts, men with money love to splash out on these sizeable sea-going giants. And that all began in 1954 — with the big dreams of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis, keen to keep his luxury lifestyle afloat when at sea, bought Canadian anti-submarine frigate HMCS Stormont after World War II. He spent millions turning it into an opulent super yacht, named it after his daughter — and the Christina O kicked off a trend among tycoons. To this day, the world’s richest men remain locked in an arms race to build the biggest, fastest, most impressive superyacht of all. Here are 10 of our favourites…

Eclipse, owned by Roman Abramovich

Built by: Blohm+Voss of Hamburg, with interiors and exteriors designed by Terence Disdale. Launched in 2009, it cost $500 million (the equivalent of £623 million today).

Owned by: Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, the owner of private investment company Millhouse LLC and owner of Chelsea Football Club. His current net worth is $17.4 billion.

Key features: 162.5 metres in length / 9 decks / Top speed of 22 knots / Two swimming pools / Disco hall / Mini submarine / 2 helicopter pads / 24 guest cabins

Sailing Yacht A, owned by Andrey Melnichenko

Built by: Nobiskrug, a shipyard on the Eider River in Germany. The original idea came from Jacques Garcia, with interiors designed by Philippe Starck and a reported price tag of over $400 million.

Owned by: Russian billionaire industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, the main beneficiary of both the fertiliser producing EuroChem Group and the coal energy company SUEK. Though his current net worth is $18.7 billion, Sailing Yacht A was seized in Trieste on 12 March 2022 due to the EU’s sanctions on Russian businessmen.

Key features: 119 metres in length / 8 decks / Top speed of 21 knots / Freestanding carbon-fibre rotating masts / Underwater observation pod / 14 guests

Symphony, owned by Bernard Arnault

Built by: Feadship, the fabled shipyard headquartered in Haarlem in The Netherlands. With an exterior designed by Tim Heywood, it reportedly cost around $150 million to construct.

Owned by: French billionaire businessman and art collector Bernard Arnault. Chairman and chief executive of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods company, his current net worth is $145.8 billion.

Key features: 101.5 metres in length / 6 decks / Top speed of 22 knots / 6-metre glass-bottom swimming pool / Outdoor cinema / Sundeck Jacuzzi / 8 guest cabins

Faith, owned by Michael Latifi

Built by: Similarly to Symphony above, also Feadship. With exteriors designed by Beaulieu-based RWD, and interiors by Chahan Design, it cost a reported $200 million to construct in 2017.

Owned by: Until recently, Canadian billionaire and part-owner of the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team , Lawrence Stroll. Recently sold to Michael Latifi, father of F1 star Nicholas , a fellow Canadian businessman with a net worth of just under $2 billion.

Key features: 97 metres in length / 9 guest cabins / Glass-bottom swimming pool — with bar / Bell 429 helicopter

Amevi, owned by Lakshmi Mittal

Built by: The Oceanco shipyard, also in The Netherlands. With exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard and interior design by Alberto Pinto, it launched in 2007 (and cost around $125 million to construct).

Owned by: Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steelmaking company. He owns 20% of Queen Park Rangers, and has a net worth of $18 billion.

Key features: 80 metres in length / 6 decks / Top speed of 18.5 knots / On-deck Jacuzzi / Helipad / Swimming Pool / Tender Garage / 8 guest cabins

Odessa II, owned by Len Blavatnik

Built by: Nobiskrug, the same German shipyard that built Sailing Yacht A . Both interior and exterior were created by Focus Yacht Design, and the yacht was launched in 2013 with a cost of $80 million.

Owned by: British businessman Sir Leonard Blavatnik. Founder of Access Industries — a multinational industrial group with current holdings in Warner Music Group, Spotify and the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat — he is worth $39.9 billion.

Key features: 74 metres in length / 6 guest cabins / Top speed of 18 knots / Intimate beach club / Baby grand piano / Private master cabhin terrace / Outdoor cinema

Nautilus, owned by Thierry Stern

Built by: Italian shipyard Perini Navi in 2014. With interiors by Rémi Tessier and exterior design by Philippe Briand, Nautilus was estimated to cost around $90 million to construct.

Owned by: Patek Philippe CEO Thierry Stern. Alongside his Gulstream G650 private jet, Nautilus — named for the famous sports watch — is his most costly mode of transport. His current net worth is $3 billion.

Key features: 73 metres in length / 7 guest cabins / Top speed of 16.5 knots / Dedicated wellness deck / 3.5 metre resistance pool / Underfloor heating / Jet Skis

Silver Angel, owned by Richard Caring

Built by: Luxury Italian boatbuilder Benetti. Launched in 2009, the yacht’s interior has been designed by Argent Design and her exterior styling is by Stefano Natucci.

Owned by: Richard Caring, British businessman and multi-millionaire (his wealth peaked at £1.05 billion, so he still makes the cut). Chairman of Caprice Holdings, he owns The Ivy restaurants.

Key features: 64.5 metres in length / Cruising speed of 15 knots / 7 guest cabins / Lalique decor / 5 decks / Oval Jacuzzi pool / Sun deck bar / Aft deck dining table

Lady Beatrice, owned by Frederick Barclay

Built by: Feadship and Royal Van Lent in 1993. Exteriors were created by De Voogt Naval Architects, with interiors by Bannenberg Designs. She cost the equivalent of £63 million to build.

Owned by: Sir David Barclay and his late brother Sir Frederick. The ‘Barclay Brothers’ had joint business pursuits including The Spectator , The Telegraph and delivery company Yodel. Current net worth: £7 billion.

Key features: 60 metres in length / 18 knots maximum speed / Monaco home port / Named for the brothers’ mother, Beatrice Cecelia Taylor / 8 guest cabins

Space, owned by Laurence Graff

Built by: Space was the first in Feadship’s F45 Vantage series , styled by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and launched in 2007. She cost a reported $25 million to construct.

Owned by: Laurence Graff, English jeweller and billionaire businessman. As the founder of Graff Diamonds, he has a global business presence and a current net worth of $6.26 billion.

Key features: 45 metres in length / Top speed of 16 knots / Al fresco dining area / Sun deck Jacuzzi / Breakfast bar / Swimming platform / Steam room

Want more yachts? Here’s the handcradfted, homegrown history of Princess…

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U.S. seizes mega yacht owned by oligarch with close ties to Putin

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain — The U.S. government seized a mega yacht in Spain owned by an oligarch with close ties to the Russian president on Monday, the first in the government’s sanctions enforcement initiative to “seize and freeze” giant boats and other pricey assets of Russian elites .

Spain’s Civil Guard and U.S. federal agents descended on the yacht at the Marina Real in the port of Palma de Mallorca, the capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Associated Press reporters at the scene saw police going in and out of the boat on Monday morning.

The seizure was confirmed by two people familiar with the matter. The people could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. A Spanish Civil Guard spokesman confirmed that officers from the Spanish police body and from the FBI were at the marina searching the vessel Monday morning and said further details would be released later.

A Civil Guard source told The Associated Press that the immobilized yacht is Tango, a 78-meter (254-feet) vessel that carries Cook Islands flag and that  Superyachtfan.com , a specialized website that tracks the world’s largest and most exclusive recreational boats, values at $120 million. The source was also not authorized to be named in media reports and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The yacht is among the assets linked to Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who heads the Moscow-based Renova Group, a conglomerate encompassing metals, mining, tech and other assets, according to U.S. Treasury Department documents. All of Vekselberg’s assets in the U.S. are frozen and U.S. companies are forbidden from doing business with him and his entities.

The move is the first time the U.S. government has seized an oligarch’s yacht since Attorney General Merrick Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen assembled a task force known as REPO — short for Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs — as an effort to enforce sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.

Vekselberg has long had ties to the U.S. including a green card he once held and homes in New York and Connecticut. The Ukrainian-born businessman built his fortune by investing in the aluminum and oil industries in the post-Soviet era.

Vekselberg was also questioned in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and has worked closely with his American cousin, Andrew Intrater, who heads the New York investment management firm Columbus Nova.

Vekselberg and Intrater were thrust into the spotlight in the Mueller probe after the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels released a memo that claimed $500,000 in hush money was routed through Columbus Nova to a shell company set up by Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen. Columbus Nova denied that Vekselberg played any role in its payments to Cohen.

Vekselberg and Intrater met with Cohen at Trump Tower, one of several meetings between members of Trump’s inner circle and high-level Russians during the 2016 campaign and transition.

The 64-year-old mogul founded Renova Group more than three decades ago. The group holds the largest stake in United Co. Rusal, Russia’s biggest aluminum producer, among other investments.

Vekselberg was first sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018, and again in March of this year, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began. Vekselberg has also been sanctioned by authorities in the United Kingdom.

The U.S. Justice Department has also launched a sanctions enforcement task force known as KleptoCapture , which also aims to enforce financial restrictions in the U.S. imposed on Russia and its billionaires, working with the FBI, Treasury and other federal agencies. That task force will also target financial institutions and entities that have helped oligarchs move money to dodge sanctions.

The White House has said that many allied countries, including German, the U.K, France, Italy and others are involved in trying to collect and share information against Russians targeted for sanctions. In his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden warned oligarch that the U.S. and European allies would “find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets.”

“We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” he said.

Wednesday’s capture is not the first time Spanish authorities have been involved in the seizure of a Russian oligarch’s superyacht. Officials there said they had seized a vessel valued at over $140 million owned by the CEO of a state-owned defense conglomerate and a close Putin ally.

French authorities have also seized superyachts, including one believed to belong to Igor Sechin, a Putin ally who runs Russian oil giant Rosneft, which has been on the U.S. sanctions list since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Italy has also seized several yachts and other assets.

Italian financial police moved quickly seizing the superyacht “Lena” belonging to Gennady Timchenko, an oligarch close to Putin, in the port of San Remo; the 65-meter (215-foot) “Lady M” owned by Alexei Mordashov in nearby Imperia, featuring six suites and estimated to be worth 65 million euros; as well as villas in Tuscany and Como, according to government officials.

Para reported from Madrid and Balsamo reported from Washington.

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Inside the World of Superyachts Owned by Billionaires

Introduction: The Ultimate Status Symbol

In the rarefied world of the ultra-wealthy, few possessions symbolize success and affluence more than a luxurious superyachts owned by billionaires. These floating palaces represent the zenith of luxury, offering unparalleled comfort, cutting-edge technology, and bespoke design. Owned by billionaires who spare no expense in their pursuit of perfection, superyachts are the epitome of opulence on the high seas.

The Top Luxurious Superyachts Owned by Billionaires

Commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the Eclipse is one of the most famous luxurious superyachts in existence. Launched in 2010, this 162.5-meter vessel was the largest yacht in the world at the time. It boasts a range of luxurious features including two helipads, a disco hall, swimming pools, hot tubs, and even a missile detection system. The Eclipse can accommodate up to 36 guests and a crew of 70, ensuring that every whim of its passengers is catered to.

Currently holding the title of the largest private yacht in the world, Azzam measures an astounding 180 meters. Owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Azzam is not just remarkable for its size. It is also one of the fastest superyachts, capable of reaching speeds of over 30 knots. Designed by Nauta Yachts and built by Lürssen Yachts, Azzam features an incredibly sophisticated and elegant interior, inspired by the Empire style.

Owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, Dilbar is another luxurious superyacht that exemplifies luxury. At 156 meters long, Dilbar is known for having the largest gross tonnage of any yacht in the world. Built by Lürssen, this yacht includes a 25-meter swimming pool, a helipad, and lavish accommodations for 40 guests and 80 crew members. Its interior, designed by Andrew Winch, reflects a sophisticated, modern style that provides an exquisite living experience on the water.

Life Aboard a Luxurious Superyacht

Living on a luxurious superyacht owned by a billionaire is akin to residing in a five-star hotel, but with the added benefit of mobility. These vessels come equipped with the finest amenities and technologies to ensure the utmost comfort and entertainment. Gourmet kitchens and luxury dining rooms – private cinemas – state-of-the-art gyms, every detail is designed to provide special experience for the owner.

Superyachts also feature luxurious staterooms and suites, often customized to reflect the owner’s personal taste and style. With expansive decks, private beaches, and Jacuzzis, relaxation and enjoyment are at the forefront of the yachting lifestyle. Additionally, many superyachts have specialized tenders and toys, including jet skis, submarines, and even small sailboats, ensuring endless fun and adventure on the water.

Famous superyachts owned by billionaires

Many of the world’s wealthiest individuals are drawn to the allure of luxurious superyachts. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is reportedly commissioning a 127-meter sailing yacht named Koru. This vessel, designed by Oceanco, is expected to be one of the most advanced and luxurious yachts ever built, featuring a support yacht complete with a helipad.

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has also shown interest in the superyacht lifestyle. He was reported to be interested in the hydrogen-powered superyacht Aqua, designed by “Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design”. This 112-meter yacht emphasizes sustainability, with its innovative use of hydrogen fuel cells, representing a step forward in eco-friendly yachting.

A Closer Look: Roman Abramovich and His Yacht, Eclipse

Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire with a net worth of over $14 billion, is perhaps one of the most renowned yacht owners in the world. His luxurious superyacht, Eclipse, reflects his penchant for luxury and innovation. Launched in 2010, Eclipse was the largest yacht in the world until Azzam took the title in 2013. Nevertheless, Eclipse remains one of the most impressive and expensive yachts, with an estimated cost of $500 million.

• Roman Abramovich: Biography and Success Story

Born on October 24, 1966, in Saratov, Russia, Roman Abramovich experienced a challenging early life. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his relatives. Despite these hardships, Abramovich demonstrated a keen business acumen from a young age. He initially made his fortune in the oil industry, co-founding the oil company Sibneft in 1995. His business ventures expanded rapidly, and he became one of Russia’s wealthiest individuals.

Abramovich is perhaps best known in the Western world for his ownership of the Chelsea Football Club, a premier soccer team in the English Premier League. Under his ownership since 2003, Chelsea has experienced significant success, winning numerous domestic and international titles. His involvement in various industries, from steel to telecommunications, further solidified his status as a global business magnate.

Beyond his business endeavors, Abramovich is also a notable philanthropist, contributing to various charitable causes, particularly in education and healthcare. His luxurious superyacht Eclipse serves as both a symbol of his success and a mobile retreat where he can entertain guests and enjoy the pleasures of yachting.

Conclusion – Superyachts owned by billionaires

The world of luxurious superyachts owned by billionaires is a testament to human ingenuity and the pursuit of luxury. These vessels showcase what happens when limitless resources combine with visionary design. Whether for leisure, status, or both, luxurious superyachts represent the fascinating aspect of modern wealth and lifestyle.

In exploring the stories behind these floating palaces, we not only get a glimpse into the luxurious lives of their owners but also into the incredible craftsmanship and innovation that make these superyachts possible.

For more articles on luxury and opulence, explore our Superyacht collection .

Famous Billionaire Yacht Owners

A Closer Look: Roman Abramovich and His Luxurious Superyacht, Eclipse

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9 Fascinating Facts About ‘Koru,’ Jeff Bezos’s Bonkers 410-Foot Sailing Superyacht

From its 250-foot support tender to its voluptuous wooden figurehead, the amazon founder's $500 million superyacht is full of surprises., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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According to the latest Forbes ‘s Real-Time Billionaires List, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently worth around $204 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person on the planet, just behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk .

So handing over an estimated $500 million for his 410-foot Koru , the world’s largest sailing yacht , another $75 million for Abeona , its 250-foot support vessel, and then paying the $30 million or so a year to cover running costs for both, should be well within his budget.

Bezos surprised the boating world when he opted for a classically styled, three-masted sailing yacht instead of some flashy mega motoryacht. And since taking delivery last year, he and his fiancé, Lauren Sánchez, have been using the yacht to cruise the world in style.

While secrecy still shrouds Koru , especially its interior and many of its technical features, we take a closer look at what makes it, arguably, the most interesting sailing superyacht in years.

Designed as a Modern Classic

Koru would never be described as sleek, or elegant even. But she does have a classical style. Designed by the Dutch masters at Dykstra Naval Architecture, the boat is distinguished by its towering navy-blue steel hull, snowy-white, two-level aluminum superstructure, sweeping canoe stern, and a trio of soaring masts. Her design inspiration is said to be the triple-masted schooner Eos , built by Germany’s Lürssen Yachts in 2006 for American media mogul Barry Diller. And, ignoring the current trend of oversized windows, Koru ‘s hull sides are dotted with traditional portholes with smaller-than typical windows for the upper decks (no doubt helping to protect guests from paparazzi lenses). Little is known about the yacht’s interior design, other than it’s the work of London-based Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi studio. Oceanco’s website describes the interior as a “timeless, contemporary style, with natural wood tones complemented by a palette of warm neutrals and beautifully patterned textiles.”

Claiming the Prize for Size

At 410 feet bow to stern and with a beam of 56 feet, Koru is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Some might argue the title should go to the 468-foot Sailing Yacht A . But that quirky, Philippe Stark–designed triple-master is considered a “sail-assisted motoryacht” rather than a true sailing yacht. Koru is also big inside, with a reported internal volume of 3,300 gross T=tons, that offers room for up to 18 guests in nine cabins and accommodations for a crew of 36.

A True Sailor

Full credit to Jeff Bezos for ignoring his fellow billionaires’ penchant for giant, diesel-guzzling superyachts. (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently took delivery of his 387-foot Launchpad , powered by quadruple MTU engines packing a combined 23,400 hp.) With its giant, more-than-20,000-square-foot sail plan (including three mainsails and three, cutter-style headsails), Koru has been regularly photographed cruising under sail. It’s also believed the yacht is making an effort to focus on sustainability, from reports of it testing out a prototype kinetic energy recovery system that converts wave-induced motion into electrical energy. The vessel is also believed to feature a hybrid power system with large battery banks that run its systems at night while at anchor.

Its 250-Foot, $75 Million “Tender”

The challenge with sailing yachts, even one that’s 410 feet long, is that it’s nearly impossible to land a helicopter on the deck. So Bezos commissioned a 250-foot support vessel, named Abeona after the Roman goddess of travelers. The largest shadow vessel ever built by Holland’s Damen Yachting, this explorer comes with a rear-deck helipad and hangar big enough to accommodate an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter. There’s also space aboard for a small armada of water toys and tenders, plus accommodations below decks for up to 45 crew and support staff.

Carved Wooden Figurehead

Since Koru ‘s launch, speculation has been rife that the hand-carved figurehead perched beneath the yacht’s long bowsprit is a tribute to Bezos’s glamorous fiancé, Lauren Sánchez. But she brushed aside the suggestion by telling Vogue magazine that the figurehead was inspired by Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, fertility, war, and gold, which is reputedly one of Bezos’s favorite mythological figures.

Built Under Total Secrecy

Tasked with taking Koru from concept to reality was the superyacht builder Oceanco, based south of Rotterdam in Alblasserdam, Holland. The famed yard, owned by billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani, who also owns Turquoise Yachts in Turkey, recently completed Steven Spielberg’s new 357-foot superyacht Seven Sea s, and the similar-sized Bravo Eugenia , launched in 2018 for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Koru was reportedly first commissioned in 2018 as Project Y721 and delivered to the Amazon founder in Gibraltar in April 2023.

What’s in a Name?

While a betting person might have predicted that Bezos would have given his sailing yacht a more Amazon-connected name, like Prime, Deliverance, or even Blue Origin after his space company, he picked Koru . The name is said to be Maori for “loop” or “coil” and resembles the spiral shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. It’s said to be an integral symbol of New Zealand Maori art that symbolizes new life and new beginnings. Look closely at the wooden figurehead on Koru ‘s bow and the necklace around the woman’s neck features a pendant shaped like the koru symbol.

A Bridge Too Far

As Koru was nearing completion in 2021, word got out that builder Oceanco had approached the city of Rotterdam in Holland, offering to pay for the partial disassembly of the historic 97-year-old Koningshaven lift-bridge, which was too low for the yacht with its triple 230-foot masts in place, to pass under on its way to the North Sea. The city reportedly consented, but the move resulted in a huge public outcry with threats to plaster Koru with eggs as it passed through the bridge. Oceanco withdrew its application and instead towed the yacht to Rotterdam’s Greenport shipyard west of the city, transported the masts by barge, and installed them there.

The Places You’ll Go

Hot on the heels of Koru ‘s handover in Gibraltar in April last year, the superyacht has seemingly been cruising non-stop. It was spotted exploring Spain’s Balearic Islands, anchored off Cannes during the film festival, and moored at celebrity hot spots like Saint-Tropez, Capri, Portofino, and Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Bezos reportedly proposed to Sánchez on the bow of Koru off Cannes in May last year, followed by an engagement party aboard in Positano, Italy with a guest list that included Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner, Toby Maguire, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Then Koru cruised the 4,000-plus miles across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale for a re-fuel and re-supply before heading to the Caribbean for winter cruising. This summer it was back to the Mediterranean for more island-hopping.

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