Indian Empress, the 95-metre superyacht built by Oceanco, has been sold for €43.5 million during a court-ordered auction following an ongoing dispute with its former owner. 
The dispute over Indian Empress first began when her owner, former politician and co-owner of Formula One Force Indian team, Vijay Vittal Mallya allegedly abandoned the superyacht last September over unpaid maritime bills. The owner is said to owe more than 40 crew members more than $1 million in unpaid wages. The superyacht was impounded in Malta in March this year on behalf of 13 creditors who are reportedly owed approximately €2 million euros. 
The sale of Indian Empress is said to represent a “significant milestone” in the “long-running saga,” according to Nautilus strategic organiser Danny McGown. “We are working with our lawyers in Malta to ensure that the crew are paid all their outstanding wages as soon as possible,” he said. “The sale proceeds must be deposited in court within the next seven days and the court will then arrange for the creditors – including Nautilus members – to be paid the sums they are owed.”