Back in March, the European Union seized the world’s largest superyacht by volume when authorities in Germany arrested the 512 foot Dilbar. The $800 million yacht is owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, and was having work done at a shipyard in Hamburg when the EU swooped in. The boat was first impounded, but now it’s fully seized.
“I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union. I believe that such a decision is unfair, and the reason is employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honor, dignity, and business reputation. I would use all legal means to protect my owner and reputation.” – Alisher Usmanov
With his prized superyacht no longer available, Usmanov (known as “Putin’s favorite oligarch”) will now have to make do with a backup superyacht named Alaiya that’s only 365 feet long. Why wasn’t Alaiya seized? After the seizure of Dilbar, Usmanov ordered Alaiyz to hightail it out to the Maldives, which doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the US or the EU. So Alaiya is safe for now.
Dilbar was launched on 14 November 2015 at the German Lürssen shipyard and delivered in 2016. It was built as Project Omar. The interior design of Dilbar was designed by Andrew Winch and the exterior by Espen Oeino. At 15,917 gross tonnage, she is the largest superyacht in the world by volume.
Dilbar was seized by German authorities as part of a series of sanctions on Russian oligarchs during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is reported to have cost $800 million to make, employ 84 full-time crew members, and contain the largest indoor swimming pool ever installed on a superyacht at 180 cubic meters.
Usmanov’s attempts to get his yacht back has so far been unsuccessful. His last appeal to have his sanctions lifted has been rejected by the EU court.
