The sale of the 82-metre Oceano superyacht Alfa Nero has been delayed due to legal matters. The motor yacht was sold last week following a televised live broadcast on the Antigua and Barbuda government state-owned television network.
The auction took place after Alfa Nero had been ordered to stay in the country since the beginning of 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The superyacht had laid ‘abandoned’ and had not been allowed to fuel and could only take on emergency supplies to keep both the yacht and Falmouth Harbour secure.
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht TimesAlfa Nero was allegedly won in the auction for $67.6 million by Eric Schmidt, a former tech businessman from the United States. More than seven days have passed, and the billionaire has been advised by lawyers to hold off paying the government until the conclusion of the latest court matter.
Read: Auction of 82m Russian-owned Alfa Nero superyacht confirmed
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht TimesYulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, the daughter of sanctioned Russian Andrey Guryev, who is said to have previously owned her, has sought an injunction to prevent the sale by claiming an ownership interest.
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht TimesA High Court judge rejected this application, allowing the sale to move forward. An emergency injunction application to block the sale was submitted two weeks ago by BVI-based firm Flying Dutchman, which also claims ownership of Alfa Nero. This was also denied by the Court of Appeal.
Read: Update: Bids entertained for abandoned 82m superyacht Alfa Nero
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht Times“Yesterday, when Prime Minister Gaston Browne spoke with [Schmidt] during the Cabinet meeting, he indicated that he had been advised by a lawyer connected to the Antigua Port Authority [that there will be a wait] until such time as the decision is made,” commented Chief of Staff, Lionel Hurst.
“The ability for us to access the resources in order to make payments to those who have been creditors of the vessel and its crew [is close] but we cannot say precisely.”
The yacht’s ownership was then transferred to the Antiguan government in April 2023 and was said to be costing them $28,000 a week to maintain, not including food and the wages for the crew members.
Read: 82m Oceanco superyacht Alfa Nero sold at auction for $67.6 million
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht TimesThe government was able to get US sanctions lifted to facilitate the sale of Alfa Nero. However, this led to last minute legal challenges by Flying Dutchman, as well as Vita Felice, which claims to own artwork onboard.
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht Times
Alfa Nero was delivered in 2007 by Oceanco and features an exterior design by Nuvolari Lenard and naval architecture by Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture and Oceanco. Her 2,500 GT of interior volume was entrusted to Alberto Pinto.
Photo: Léandre Loyseau / SuperYacht TimesAlfa Nero offers accommodation for as many as 12 guests across six suites, comprising a master, two VIPs, two doubles and a twin, as well as a crew of 28. She has a long list of key features that include a hydraulically operated pool and a helipad on her aft deck.