After many adventures, the mega yacht Alfa Nero, which previously belonged to the couple of Theo and Gianna Angelopoulou, but in recent years was tied up in Antigua, has passed to a new owner.

According to local media and international yachting specialist websites, the impressive 82-metre yacht was sold for $40 million including a 4.5% broker’s fee and will be managed by the Swiss company FEMA Marine (Federal Emergency Management Agency). An amount considered “low” for such a luxury yacht.

It will be recalled that the yacht was seized by the Antiguan government in March 2022, when it was found to belong to a Russian businessman who was included on international sanctions lists issued by the US, the European Union, and the UK following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the request of US authorities, the luxury yacht was forcibly “tied up” in the port of Falmouth, Antigua, as it was banned from refueling except for emergency supplies and certainly from sailing.

Russian oligarch Andrei Guriev had bought the Alfa Nero in 2014 for $130 million.

Although anchored, the vessel had become a “headache” for the Antiguan government as it cost around $28,000 a week, not including food and salaries for crew members. It should be noted that the diesel engines have to be run for maintenance purposes, as air conditioning is necessary around the clock to prevent damage to the interiors which are decorated with expensive materials such as wood, leather and mother-of-pearl.

Somehow, the US Treasury Department was asked to lift sanctions on the vessel so that it could be sold and thus relieve the small Caribbean nation of high maintenance costs.

The “green light” was given and an auction followed in 2023 in which several “suitors” participated. In that process, however, the highest bidder was former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who submitted a bid of $67.6 million. But shortly before the final signatures fell, the Russian oligarch’s daughter Yulia Gurieva-Motlokov blocked the auction, claiming that the impressive yacht belonged to her and not her father.

In the next “episode”, in September 2023, Eric Schmidt withdrew his bid and the Alfa Nero continued its costly stay in Antigua.
Almost a year later, it was announced that the superyacht had changed hands for $40 million.

Its features and history

Alfa Nero was built in 2007 for Theodoros Angelopoulos at the Dutch shipyards Oceano, with the exterior design by Nuvolari Lenard and the interior by renowned interior designer Alberto Pinto.

She can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests in six luxurious cabins, as well as a crew of 26. It naturally has all the amenities imaginable, and stands out for its infinity pool that converts into a helipad.

Powered by twin MTU engines, she cruises comfortably at 15 knots and reaches a maximum speed of 20 knots with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles.
Significantly, in 2008 it won 7 international awards for its design and overall capabilities and benefits.

For as long as it remained in the hands of Theo and Gianna Angelopoulou, it hosted many famous personalities, such as American film director Steven Spielberg, actress Michelle Pfeiffer, etc.

According to reports, the Angelopoulos family attempted to sell it in 2009 for $190 million, but to no avail. Finally in 2011 it was transferred to the Cayman Islands-based Flying Dutchman Overseas Ltd. At that stage it was chartered for cruises to the Greek islands and the Mediterranean for $1 million per week. It then passed into the hands of Russian oligarch Andrey Guriev.

Following the latest developments, the Alfa Nero has made a reappearance on international yacht charter websites, with prices as high as 840,000 euros a week.