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2w ago

U.S. Sealed-Bid Auction for Seized Superyacht Amadea Closes Today

A pending appeal by Eduard Khudainatov introduces legal uncertainty that could affect buyer interest.

The aft deck of The Amadea.
The Amadea, a mega yacht seized by the Justice Department, is going up for auction.
The owner’s stateroom aboard The Amadea.

Overview

  • The Justice Department is selling the 348-foot Amadea in a sealed auction run by National Maritime Services with broker Fraser Yachts, requiring a $10 million deposit to bid.
  • In March, Judge Dale Ho awarded the yacht to the government after finding the claimants were straw owners and indicating members of Suleiman Kerimov’s family were the true owners.
  • Khudainatov has appealed the ruling, his lawyer calls the sale improper and premature, and prosecutors say the statements aim to depress the price, with the government’s response due by mid-November.
  • The U.S. Marshals Service reports about $32 million spent on transport, maintenance, storage and crew since 2022, a mounting cost that officials cite in moving ahead with the sale.
  • The vessel was once valued near $350 million, was appraised at $230 million in 2022, and researchers now estimate a resale range of $80 million to $120 million given market limits and litigation risk.