US Seizes $325 Million Superyacht for Auction Amid Sanctions on Russia
A $325 million superyacht, previously owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, is set to be auctioned off. This event marks the first sale of its kind as part of the United States’ broader strategy to penalize Russian elites following their invasion of Ukraine.
The auction for the Amadea is significant, with its past ownership tying to discussions around economic sanctions against Moscow. Interestingly, former President Donald Trump is reportedly heading to Alaska this week to discuss potential resolutions to the ongoing conflict, which has stretched on for three and a half years.
Legal documents from last year indicated that the government had calculated substantial costs associated with maintaining the yacht—about $600,000 monthly—along with a listing fee of $143,750.
The impressive 348-foot yacht includes eight luxurious staterooms, a beauty spa, a gym, helipads, a swimming pool, hot tub, fire pits, and even two elevators. Built in 2017 by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen, the interior was designed by the legendary Francois Zuretti.
The yacht can accommodate up to 16 guests and 36 crew members, dedicating the lower deck solely for the owner’s use. Features of the owner’s deck include a lounge with a grand piano, a bar, a fireplace, a separate living area, and an office. The spacious stateroom opens onto a deck equipped with a hot tub. Sounds pretty extravagant, right?
Also, the spa area offers a sauna, a Turkish-style steam room, and even a massage room. The yacht is equipped with cinemas that make the experience feel quite immersive—seats that move and vibrate with the film. For those who enjoy swimming, there’s a remarkable 33-foot infinity pool with a swim-up bar.
Bidders interested in acquiring the Amadea should prepare a deposit of around €10 million (approximately $11.6 million). The auction is scheduled to conclude on September 10th.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration established a task force named Kleptcapture. This initiative aims to impose extensive sanctions on Russian elites believed to support President Putin’s military actions. The US has been focused on identifying high-value assets tied to these individuals worldwide.
After uncovering the complex ownership structure of the Amadea, US authorities seized it in 2022 while it was docked in Fiji. They assert that the yacht belongs to Kerimov, who has been labeled an oligarch benefiting from illegal activities linked to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
In 2022, the yacht was placed under the stewardship of National Maritime Services, a ship management company based in Florida. Currently, it is docked in San Diego, incurring around $1.1 million in various expenses since its arrival in June 2022.
A spokesperson for the ex-US S Services mentioned that once the yacht sells, funds from the sale will be distributed across multiple areas, including victim compensation, program costs, and other expenses, though they didn’t provide specific details.
