Its annual maintenance and crew costs amounted to $30,000,000.
The superyacht Motor Yacht A of Russian billionaire Andrey Melnychenko, valued at around $200,000,000, remains a symbol of former luxury. As reported by Luxury Launches, the vessel has been sitting in the port of Dubai for over three years, covered in dust and fading under the scorching sun without regular maintenance.
The 119-meter yacht, inspired by the shapes of a submarine, was once considered one of the most striking and recognizable in the world. But far from European ports and specialized shipyards, Motor Yacht A is deprived of care and is gradually withering away. Its annual maintenance and crew costs amounted to $30,000,000.
Built by the German shipyard Blohm+Voss to the design of renowned designer Philippe Starck, the boat amazed not only with its appearance but also with its interiors: nearly 2,200 square meters of internal space, including a master suite of 230 square meters and seven luxurious cabins for 14 guests. The finish featured Baccarat crystal—from glasses to furniture elements. Rumor has it that the yacht is equipped with bulletproof glazing, biometric access, dozens of cameras, and even a lifeboat capsule. Now, however, all these engineering marvels are powerless against time: the pools are empty, interior details are covered in sandy dust, and the vessel has lost its former shine.
The vessel has never been officially arrested; however, since the owner's inclusion in the EU sanctions list, it has been avoiding European waters. Fearing confiscation, the yacht was moved to Dubai's "safe harbor," where it has been sitting idle for several years. Another yacht of the billionaire—Sailing Yacht A, one of the largest sailing yachts in the world—was confiscated by the Italian financial guard in March 2022 in Trieste and also requires even more expensive maintenance than Motor Yacht A.
Andrey Igorevich Melnychenko (born March 8, 1972, Gomel) is a Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of Eurochem and SUEK, each of which is among the largest in the world in its industry. He held positions as a board member (non-executive director) in both companies. In March 2022, he ceased to be both a beneficiary and a board member of both companies due to being placed on the EU sanctions list. Over the past 20 years, he has participated in the creation of several of the most successful Russian corporations, including the fertilizer producer Eurochem and the SUEK group.
With a fortune of $25.2 billion, he ranked first along with his family in Forbes' list of Russian billionaires (58th in the world). According to Bloomberg as of November 2023, he has a net worth of $17.2 billion (7th in Russia, 104th in the world). One of the largest philanthropists and social investors in Russia, Melnychenko's companies are recognized as leaders in the annual "Leaders of Corporate Philanthropy" competitions and have invested over $500,000,000 in charitable and social programs. The Andrey Melnychenko Foundation supports gifted children in the fields of science and education, promoting social mobility in Russia by creating opportunities for talented youth in the regions where his companies operate. Since 2022, due to support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has been under personal sanctions from all EU countries, the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, and New Zealand.
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