Amadea, a luxury super yacht worth $325 million, is a prime target for the US government. Suleiman Kerimov’s attorneys claim that authorities cannot seize the ship since it actually belongs to another billionaire.
The ownership of these oligarchs’ luxurious boats is a mystery, which adds to the difficulty of keeping track of their constantly evading superyachts. The United States has been trying very hard to take the $325 million megayacht Amadea from sanctioned billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. Millemarin Investments listed Eduard Khudainatov as the proprietor, although this was not the case. Attempts to kidnap Amadee have been going on for quite some time. After an 18-day journey from Mexico across the Pacific, the luxury yacht finally reached rougher seas. Amadea ran into difficulty when it arrived in Fiji without first clearing customs.
Even though it might be challenging to show ownership of the beautiful boat, the Fijian high court in Suva has issued an injunction preventing the Amadea from leaving Fijian seas. Christopher Pryde, Fiji’s director of public prosecutions, petitioned the High Court to block the departure of Kerimov’s 347-foot yacht. The crew, including the captain, may have been arrested and questioned as well.
A former chairman and CEO of Rosneft, the Kremlin-controlled energy behemoth, the defense claims is the ship’s owner despite the fact that he is on no sanctions list. Let’s take a closer look at the stricken boat Amadea:
Lurssen-built Amadea is very unique.The interior of the Amadea superyacht was built around a number of different focal points, making it a gliding embodiment of elegance. It opens into a grand double-height atrium that serves as a warm welcome area. Backlit whiskies, brandies, and rums in transparent bottles behind the bar, as well as hand-painted Michelangelo clouds on the ceiling above the dining table, giving the interiors a refreshing appeal designed by French designer Francois Zuretti.
Outdoor living is emphasized heavily, as reported by Boat International. There are 20,000 watts of speakers, lighting, and lasers installed on the main deck, allowing it to be transformed into a dance club. The galley, complete with gleaming copper pots and pans, a massive grill, and even a live aquarium for lobsters, is proof of this.
The winter patio is a beautiful place that may be used as a dining area for up to 24 people. It is covered with ferns and painted with lianas. Bands and DJs can use the spa pool as a stage and play music using the ship’s sound system.
As could be expected, the enormous owner’s deck has a luxurious dressing room, a bathroom with a deep soaking tub, a beauty parlor, and a gym. The owner’s cabin is so plush that its ceiling is a recreation of the night sky made from 2,000 fiber-optic cables.
There is a private saloon, bar, and eating space just for the owner on the upper deck. The luxurious vessel features a Jacuzzi, a helipad, and a swimming pool. The schooner has eight luxurious cabins in addition to the large private quarters, all of which are exquisitely crafted from the finest materials such as marbles, rare woods, outstanding stone, and wood inlay work.
Whose is Amadea? Or perhaps Suleiman Kerimov or Eduard Khudainatov?The majority of Suleiman Kerimov’s $13.7 billion fortune comes from his 76% interest in Polyus, Russia’s largest gold miner. The United States claims the $325 million Amadea is the cherished possession of Kremlin-connected Russian businessman Kerimov, who is under sanctions for alleged money laundering and tax evasion. Defense attorneys have testified that Eduard Khudainatov, a former chairman and CEO of the Kremlin-controlled energy firm Rosneft, is the ship’s true owner. The attorneys’ designation of Khudainatov as the owner stands out as very handy. Business Insider reports that, unlike Kerimov, he is not subject to sanctions and has strong ties to the Kremlin.
Exactly on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, Roman Abramovich transferred ownership of his 165-foot long, $40.3 million yacht Aquamarine to a close friend. The ship Amadea is owned by Millemarin Investments, also of the Cayman Islands, and is registered there. Fijian prosecutors have been instructed by the high court to include Millemarin as a respondent in the case against Kerimov, as reported by A.P. The Business Insider said that the Amadea’s ownership was “still subject to investigation.” The U.S. government believes that beneath all the facades is one man named Kerimov. Billionaire Kerimov, who is under sanctions, is attempting to salvage his 295-foot superyacht ‘Ice’ by preventing it from docking. It has been hanging off Italy’s coast for almost a week.