Topline
In a fascinating turn of events, a superyacht previously owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch has reportedly found a new owner linked to one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. This acquisition comes on the heels of significant international attention, as the yacht was originally seized by the U.S. government at the onset of the Ukrainian conflict.
The vessel in question, the Amadea, spans an impressive 348 feet and was put up for auction this September. The sale was part of a broader effort to enforce sanctions against affluent Russians with ties to President Vladimir Putin. The Amadea’s official ownership was updated in ship database Equasis on October 10, revealing that the yacht is now under the possession of Beyond Holdings Group Limited.
Reports have surfaced linking Beyond Holdings Group to Hussain Sajwani, a billionaire based in the United Arab Emirates. The company’s headquarters share an address with Damac Properties, Sajwani’s renowned real estate powerhouse. Interestingly, Beyond Holdings Group was formerly known as AHS Four Company, a name reportedly derived from Sajwani’s son’s initials. Notably, his son’s yacht is known for chartering at over $500,000 per week.
Previously belonging to Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian oligarch subject to international sanctions, the Amadea is estimated to be valued at around $300 million. However, the exact auction price remains undisclosed. Launched in 2017, the yacht boasts luxurious amenities, including accommodations for 22 guests across eight staterooms, a gym, sauna, massage room, a 32-foot infinity pool, and even features such as a private theater, helipad, and two elevators.
This acquisition by a company associated with Sajwani, who has been in the spotlight due to his connections with former President Donald Trump, adds another intriguing chapter to the ongoing narrative of seized Russian assets amid geopolitical tensions.
The Amadea, formerly owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, is estimated to be worth roughly $300 million, though an auction price was not revealed at the time of sale.
The yacht, which set sail in 2017, can accommodate up to 22 guests in eight staterooms and also has a gym, sauna, massage room, 32-foot infinity pool, private theater, helipad and two elevators on board.
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Key Background
Kerimov was first designated as an official of the Russian government in 2018 and he was re-sanctioned in September of 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In June of 2022, the Amadea was seized by authorities in Fiji at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, which have claimed Kerimov violated several American laws, including money laundering and conspiracy. A winding legal saga followed as the government attempted to prove the true ownership of the ship, which was purchased using shell companies and trusts and under the proxy-ownership of oligarch Eduard Khudainatov. In August of this year, the U.S. said it would auction the Amadea in an attempt to put pressure on Russian oligarchs and compel them to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The auction of the Amadea was the first sale of a seized Russian luxury vessel since the start of the war, according to the Associated Press. A dozen Russian-linked yachts have been seized around the world in the last several years, including in Italy, Spain and France.
