$75m superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch seized in Gibraltar

Grant Shapps Britain Eu Turkey Russia Ukraine Greece Gibraltar Bermuda Manufacturing Waters Pool Aviat

22.03.2022 - 17:01

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theguardian.com:

A superyacht belonging to a sanctioned Russian oligarch has been seized in Gibraltar, becoming the latest vessel to be impounded by authorities.

The $75m (£57m) Axioma belonging to billionaire Dmitry Pumpyansky – owner and chairman of steel pipe manufacturer OAO TMK, which is a supplier to Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom – was seized by authorities in the British overseas territory on Monday.

The news emerged as two of Roman Abramovich’s superyachts were spotted docked in ports in Turkey, having cruised to new locations after the extension of sanctions to include the Chelsea FC owner.

Yachts belonging to several Russian oligarchs have hastily arranged unplanned sailings, apparently moving them to avoid seizure by governments enforcing sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkey has not yet joined western economic sanctions against Russia.

After the seizure of Pumpyansky’s yacht by authorities in Gibraltar, the UK’s transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said he was doing “all I can to cripple Russia’s aviation and shipping industries”. “It’s not just here in the UK those sanctions apply, either. They are being mirrored in our overseas territories too.”

Pumpyansky was added to the UK and EU sanctions lists earlier this month.

The yacht Eclipse, at nearly 163 metres (535ft) long the largest in the fleet linked to Abramovich, arrived in Marmaris on Tuesday morning.

It had skirted EU waters south of the Greek island of Crete on its journey, according to data from the website Marine Traffic.

Eclipse, which flies under the flag of Bermuda, had set sail east from St Maarten in the Caribbean towards international waters earlier in March, shortly after other oligarchs’ yachts were seized.

The yacht boasts nine decks,