Seized Asset Auction: American authorities selling off a $325 million superyacht belonged to a Russian tycoon
The luxury superyacht Amadea, valued at approximately $325 million, is set to be auctioned off by the U.S. government on September 10, 2025. This 348-foot vessel, initially owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, has been in the possession of the U.S. Marshals Service since it was seized offshore Fiji in 2022.
The current official owner of the Amadea is Millemarin Investments Ltd., a company based in the Cayman Islands. However, there has been contention regarding ownership, as a holding company claims the yacht belongs to Eduard Khudainatov, a non-sanctioned Russian. The U.S. Justice Department has rejected this claim.
The Amadea, a custom-built Lurssen yacht, boasts eight staterooms, accommodating 16 guests and 36 crew members. It features extensive amenities such as a gym, spa, swimming pool, helipad, private cinema, and marble interiors adorned with gold-colored trimmings. The yacht also includes multiple bars, one that glows, a full grand piano, and even a humidor, wine cellar, pizza oven, Jacuzzi, and a fully equipped infirmary.
Interested buyers must submit a deposit of 10 million euros (around $11.6 million) and meet financial suitability requirements, such as a net worth of at least $500 million, to participate in the auction. The auction is being administered by National Maritime Services, a Florida-based company.
The auction of the Amadea superyacht is part of U.S. efforts to impose financial pressure on sanctioned Russian oligarchs amid the geopolitical conflict involving Russia and Ukraine. The Amadea was one of the highest-profile seizures by the Justice Department task force, Operation KleptoCapture, launched in 2022 to go after the assets of sanctioned oligarchs in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. government has incurred costs of about $32 million for the maintenance, storage, and transportation of the Amadea. The government is trying to get Eduard Khudainatov to foot the bill for these expenses, with the legal fight between the government and Mr. Khudainatov ongoing.
The winning bidder of the Amadea superyacht will receive it "as-is, where is". The yacht is currently docked in San Diego. The auction is expected to be prohibitively expensive for most bidders, given the estimated value of the Amadea and the high financial requirements.
The winning bidder of the Amadea superyacht may face substantial expenses in maintaining its luxurious lifestyle on board, given the extensive amenities such as a gym, spa, swimming pool, helicpad, private cinema, and marble interiors adorned with gold-colored trimmings. The new owner will also need to consider the ongoing expenses of a home-and-garden scale, as the yacht includes multiple bars, one that glows, a full grand piano, a humidor, wine cellar, pizza oven, Jacuzzi, and a fully equipped infirmary.
