Sleek superyacht seized, released over $16.2M debt claim
March 11, 2017
MADRID, Spain ― Authorities in Gibraltar reportedly seized – and then released – one of the largest and most advanced superyachts in the world over an unsettled bill dispute between its owner and its German builder.
Associated Press, on Feb. 20, cited a report from The Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper of shipbuilder Nobiskrug claiming 15.3 million Euro ($16.2 million) in disputed costs for the 143-meter (468-foot) long Sailing Yacht A.
In an email, Nobiskrug declined to comment “due to ongoing legal proceedings and confidentiality.”
News reports since the seizure claimed the superyacht was since released back to the owner’s project team.
An email from the managing director of Eurasia Advisory, who represents the superyacht’s owner, confirmed authorities released Sailing Yacht A back to the owner’s project team shortly after the seizure.
Nobiskrug’s website stated the ship, designed by French interior designer Philippe Starck, was delivered earlier this month to its unnamed client.
Gibraltar’s Admiralty Marshal Liam Yeats said the vessel was under arrest and is currently at anchor in the British enclave’s territorial waters as of Feb. 20.
Yeats declined to discuss details in line with Gibraltar court policy.
(A Feb. 20 report from the Associated Press was used for portions of this story.)
Your story is a bit late, its already been released and left weeks ago; Gibraltar is an efficient jurisdiction for ship arrests.