The United States is preparing to auction the luxury superyacht Amadea, a 348 foot vessel valued at more than $325 million, after years of legal battles and spiraling maintenance costs. The move marks one of the most high profile asset sales under U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs.
The Amadea, built by German shipyard Lürssen in 2017, boasts six decks with eight staterooms, a gym, a spa, a helipad, a beauty salon, an elevator, and even a swimming pool. It can host 16 guests and a crew of 36, making it a symbol of extreme luxury. Since being seized in Fiji in 2022, the yacht has been docked in San Diego, with U.S. taxpayers covering upkeep costs of nearly $600,000 every month.
Authorities believe the yacht belongs to billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, a close ally of Vladimir Putin who is under U.S. sanctions. Prosecutors argue that former Rosneft executive Eduard Khudainatov acted as a front to conceal Kerimov’s ownership. In March, a U.S. court dismissed Khudainatov’s claim and upheld the government’s right to take control of the vessel.
The auction, managed by National Maritime Services and Fraser Yachts, requires a deposit of €10 million to submit sealed bids. Officials hope to conclude the sale quickly, citing the mounting cost burden of maintaining the vessel. However, Khudainatov’s legal team has warned that any sale could be tied up in years of litigation, creating uncertainty for potential buyers.
Beyond the legal fight, the Amadea auction highlights the broader challenge of sanction enforcement. By moving to sell the yacht, the U.S. is sending a strong signal that it intends to liquidate frozen oligarch assets rather than simply impound them. Proceeds from the auction could eventually support Ukraine, adding symbolic weight to the sale.
The Amadea’s fate now rests with bidders willing to brave legal risks in exchange for one of the world’s most extravagant yachts. For Washington, the sale is about more than luxury—it is about proving that sanctions carry real consequences.