Author: The Maritime Observer
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Dalston Projects Limited vs. The Secretary of State for Transport – Will the Supreme Court grant a “Permission to Appeal”?
Phi, the 60-meter luxury motor yacht owned by Russian businessman Sergei Naumenko, has been the inadvertent face of the UK’s sanctions regime in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After the latest Court of Appeal ruling dismissing Naumenko’s challenge of the High Court ruling, Phi remains docked at London’s Canary Wharf as the Court…
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Royal Romance to be officially auctioned; Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) of Ukraine announces
The sanctioned motor yacht Royal Romance is set to be auctioned after ownership was transferred to the Ukrainian government. In January 2024, The Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) of Ukraine announced that Royal Romance’s ownership would be transferred to Ukraine, following the Croatian court’s ruling, with ARMA planning to auction her off “as soon…
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Ferretti Group to open new dealership branches in the United Arab Emirates and Oman
During a press conference held at the 30th Dubai International Boat Show in February 2024, Ferretti Group announced the opening of new offices in several parts of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. This news comes months after the shipyard announced the dissolution of its partnership with leisure yachting company Ocean360, Ferretti…
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Qatar Boat Show announced for November 6-9 2024
On March 5th, 2024, a grand pre-launch took place in Doha, Qatar to announce the first-ever Qatar Boat Show (QBS), with the industry’s key players in attendance. The event, which prognosticates 20,000 visitors and 500 exhibitors, will take place between November 6 and November 9 2024 at the Old Doha Port. Over the past few years,…
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Dubai International Boat Show signs long-term deal with current venue Dubai Harbour
The Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) will continue its existing relationship with Dubai Harbour following the successful 30th edition of the show. DIBS, a staple of the Middle Eastern maritime calendar, has been residing in Dubai Harbour since its return in 2022. The partnership finds an agreement to invest in more infrastructure to serve future…
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The new UAE Maritime Code allows any foreign entity to fly the UAE flag, will its absence from the Paris White List prove to be a detriment?
For owners in the early stages of owning a yacht, the choice of flag serves as the most crucial decision to make, as it will have a direct effect on every aspect of ownership from tax, privacy, functionality, and exposure to liability. On March 24th, the UAE will promulgate its 2023 Maritime Law Code. The…
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Spotlight – Captain Sahar Rasti
What does it mean to be the first? Being scared but doing it anyway. Anyone who meets Captain Sahar will notice a glittery bedazzled brooch in the shape of an anchor affixed to her pea coat. Scientists postulate that our fascination with glitter and gloss stems from an evolutionary attraction to the sea. For Captain…
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Court of Appeal rules in favor of The Secretary of State for Transport; finding the High Court’s decision to M/Y PHI’s seizure lawful
Court of Appeal rules in favor of The Secretary of State for Transport; finding the High Court’s decision to M/Y PHI’s seizure lawful Dalston Projects Limited and others (appellants) v The Secretary of State for Transport (respondent) Not the denouement her owner, captain, crew, and spectators hoped for, the 60-meter motor yacht Phi will continue…
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United States government plans to sell seized motor yacht AMADEA after strenuous maintenance costs
US v. M/Y Amadea, 23-cv-09304, US District Court, Southern District of New York. The 106-meter motor yacht Amadea was seized in May 2022 while docked in Fiji after her owner, Suleiman Kerimov, was placed under the U.S. sanctions list due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Kerimov’s third time becoming a designated person in…
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Russian national Vladislav Osipov charged with five counts of bank fraud in connection to the motor yacht M/Y TANGO
On February 22, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed five new counts of bank fraud against Swiss resident Vladislav Osipov, an employee of sanctioned Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, owner of the 77.7-meter motor yacht Tango. The press release reads “Osipov and his employees instructed the yacht management company to avoid doing business with banks in Tango’s true…
