By Tony O’Reilley-
A superyacht owned by a Russian businessman has been detained in London as part of sanctions by the UK government over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the seizure of the Yacht on Tuesday, after UK officials boarded the vessel in Canary Wharf in east London.
The superyacht, which was in London for an awards ceremony, is 58.5 metres long and features what is described as an “infinite wine cellar” and a freshwater swimming pool.
“Today we’ve detained a £38 million superyacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies,” Mr Shapps said. “Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from connections to Putin’s regime.”
The government did not reveal the name of the superyacht’s owner, but described her ownership as “deliberately well hidden”.
The vessel is believed to be registered to a company based in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Phi is registered to a company based in the Caribbean dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and carries a Maltese flag.
“For the first time ever in UK waters, we have detained a Russian superyacht – the £38 million, Phi,” he said
“The Department for Transport has worked closely with the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to intercept the superyacht and will continue to take robust action against anyone benefitting from Russian links”
The vessel was built in the Netherlands and she made her maiden voyage last year.
“It was here for refit, won’t be going anywhere, and it’s just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin’s cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering,” he said.
“When you see what he’s doing to Ukraine, when you see what he’s doing to people’s lives, it can’t be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away and that is why we’ve impounded it, and denied it ability to go anywhere right now, and it’s another indication of how seriously we take these matters.”