US to Auction Russian Oligarch’s Seized $300 Million Superyacht

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A luxury superyacht worth an estimated $300 million, seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch, will be auctioned in September. The 348-foot long vessel named Amadea belonged to billionaire Suleiman Kerimov and is currently docked in San Diego.

Kerimov has close ties with Vladimir Putin and built his fortune through stakes in Russian gold producer Polyus, with an estimated net worth of $10.7 billion according to Forbes. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2014 and 2018 for Russia’s activities in Ukraine and Syria.

The Amadea yacht was seized in April 2022 as part of sanctions enforcement against Putin-linked oligarchs for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, a joint operation of Task Force KleptoCapture, which was disbanded by President Donald Trump. The vessel has a helipad, pool, Jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon, and eight staterooms across six decks, capable of accommodating up to 22 guests and 36 crew members.

In 2023, Eduard Khudainatov, former chief of Russian state oil and gas company Rosneft, tried to block its forfeiture by claiming ownership. However, a U.S. judge ruled that Khudainatov acted as a “straw owner” for Kerimov, and the vessel is held by the United States Marshals Service in San Diego.

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

The sale will be administered by National Maritime Services of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to a forfeiture order from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Fraser Yachts is the auction agent.

So far, the federal government has incurred $32 million in maintenance, storage, and transportation costs for the Amadea.

National Maritime Services chairman Bob Toney said: “This is perhaps the most spectacular, exacting and beautiful ship any of us will ever see … an opportunity like this for discerning owners is exceedingly rare.”

The sealed bid auction will take place on September 10. Bidders must submit a $10 million deposit by September 5.

The winning bidder pays an additional $10 million within 10 days and the remaining amount within 28 days.

📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz

10 Points

Which of the following statements about the superyacht Amadea is true?

A. It was built for a Ukrainian oligarch. B. It is currently docked in Moscow. C. It will be auctioned in September. D. It does not have any facilities on board.

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