American billionaire's extravagant yacht to hit auction blocks in the States (due to ties with a Russian oligarch)
Seized Russian Billionaire's Superyacht Amadea to be Auctioned
The Amadea superyacht, owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, is set to be auctioned on September 10, 2025. This luxurious vessel, with a length of 348 feet and a valuation of approximately $230–$325 million, will be auctioned through a sealed bid process managed by National Maritime Services and promoted by Fraser Yachts.
The Amadea, built by German shipbuilder Lürssen in 2017, boasts an array of amenities including a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon, private cinema, and accommodations for 16 guests in 8 staterooms, with space for 36 crew members. The yacht was seized in Fiji in April/May 2022 and transported to San Diego, where it remains docked.
The U.S. Department of Justice upheld Kerimov as the true beneficial owner in a March 2025 ruling, rejecting ownership claims by Eduard Khudainatov, a former Rosneft executive who was alleged to be a “straw owner” to conceal true ownership. Kerimov is sanctioned by the U.S. due to his close ties to Vladimir Putin and alleged involvement in money laundering and advancing Russia’s malign activities, including the invasion of Ukraine.
Interested bidders must provide a $10 million deposit and typically have a net worth of at least $500 million to qualify. While the precise distribution details of the auction proceeds have not been publicly detailed, the government likely uses proceeds to support sanctions enforcement activities or may hold funds subject to further legal decisions. The auction administrative costs, which amount to around $32 million on transport and maintenance since its seizure, may be deducted from the gross proceeds.
The auction of the Amadea superyacht is part of Operation KleptoCapture, a Justice Department initiative targeting Kremlin-linked oligarchs, launched under President Biden and disbanded under President Trump. The proceeds from the auction are expected to benefit U.S. government sanctions enforcement efforts.
[1] The New York Times. (2022, May 20). Justice Department Seizes Superyacht Belonging to a Russian Billionaire. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/20/us/politics/russian-yacht-seized.html
[2] CNN. (2022, April 18). US seizes $300 million superyacht from Russian oligarch. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/18/us/russian-oligarch-yacht-seized/index.html
[3] Forbes. (2022, May 20). U.S. Seizes Superyacht Belonging To Russian Oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2022/05/20/us-seizes-superyacht-belonging-to-russian-oligarch-suleiman-kerimov/?sh=6b2f40747a8f
[4] BBC News. (2022, April 18). US seizes $300m superyacht from Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60894604
[5] The Guardian. (2022, May 20). US seizes superyacht from Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov for alleged sanctions violations. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/20/us-seizes-superyacht-suleiman-kerimov-russia-sanctions-violations
- The luxury superyacht Amadea, owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, is connected to both politics and finance, as its auction proceeds are expected to support U.S. government sanctions enforcement efforts, while the bidders have a net worth typically exceeding $500 million.
- The auction of the Amadea, a $230–$325 million valued superyacht seized from Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, is part of a larger business endeavor in the general-news context, Operation KleptoCapture, an initiative targeting Kremlin-linked oligarchs launched under President Biden.
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