A Russian-owned superyacht registered in Malta seized in the United Kingdom
The British government seized a Russian-owned, Maltese-flagged superyacht in British waters on Tuesday as part of sanctions against Russia, the UK’s National Crime Agency said.
Phi, the € 45 million, 58.5-meter yacht is owned by a Russian businessman. Although the unidentified individual has not been sanctioned by the UK, new powers allow the British Secretary of Transport to keep ships controlled, chartered or operated by people connected with Russia.
The ship is registered with a company based in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The flag of Malta is the sixth largest in the world and the largest in the EU.
Confiscation of Phi, The first superyacht in British waters comes after the United Kingdom sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals and entities in recent weeks over the invasion of Ukraine. The Phi was in the UK for a refit.
British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the seizure sent a “clear and strong warning” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It’s just another indication that we’re not going to stay put in Putin’s squads around the world on these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering.”
Phi it is the third largest yacht built by Dutch shipbuilder Royal Huisman and includes what the company calls an “infinite wine cellar” and a patented freshwater swimming pool.
Authorities in France, Italy, Spain, and Gibraltar have also seized Russian yachts as part of a sanctions campaign against Russia.
Britain has seized at least two private jets owned by oligarchs.
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