Saga of the Sea: The Intriguing Tale of Sanctioned Superyacht Amadea's Recent Sale

In the world of luxury yachting, few tales echo louder than the intriguing saga of the Amadea, a 106-metre marvel that epitomizes the concept of a floating palace. But behind her sumptuous façade hides a voyage steeped in controversy, one that has now witnessed a pivotal turn with the vessel’s sale by the US Government. The journey of the sanctioned superyacht, which boasts alleged links to Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, weaves an intricate web of power, wealth and rarely seen complexity in the realm of maritime law.

Despite the sale, a cloud of legal uncertainty continues to veil the identity of her rightful owner. The backstory of Amadea is marked by a protracted legal battle commencing with the vessel’s detainment by Fijian authorities at the behest of the US in May 2022. The vessel eventually found itself seized under asset-forfeiture provisions connected to sanctions on Kerimov, who is accused of concealing asset ownership via convoluted offshore structures. The battle over ownership of the Amadea reached a climax in March 2025, when Judge Dale Ho of the Southern District of New York pushed forward the government’s motion to seize the vessel.

However, months following the auction, the battle over ownership of this grand vessel continues with an appeal pending, leaving potential buyers exposed to ongoing claims. Some pundits viewed the auction as politically driven and even labeled it as a ’theft’, raising grave questions about due-process rights and the cost to US taxpayers. With legal proceedings still afoot, the saga of the Amadea may yet have chapters unwritten. Once the epitome of luxury at sea, this iconic superyacht now serves as a vivid illustration of the intersections of wealth, power, and the often nebulous pathways of global finance.