Why Roman Abramovich's Eclipse is stuck in Turkey

Roman Abramovich ordered the 162.5-metre Eclipse from Blohm+Voss as a mobile security platform. Delivered in December 2010, she carried missile detection systems and two helicopter pads. EU sanctions froze her assets in March 2022. She has not moved since.

The superyacht Eclipse was built for one man: Roman Abramovich. He is a Russian oligarch with deep ties to the Kremlin. The vessel cost an estimated €340 million to build. It was delivered on 9 December 2010 by the German yard Blohm+Voss.

Eclipse measures 162.5 metres long. That made her the longest private yacht in the world at the time. Azzam took that title in April 2013. Eclipse remains the third longest hull afloat today.

Abramovich designed Eclipse as a sovereign security platform. It carried military-grade defensive suites. These features were rare for any civilian vessel, let alone a private yacht.

What makes Eclipse different from other large yachts?

Most large yachts rely on fins or tanks to stop rolling. Eclipse used a different system. It had two rotating rotors based on the Magnus effect. This technology creates lift using spinning cylinders. It stabilised the hull against roll motion.

This system was unique in 2009. No other private yacht had such rotors. They worked best when the boat was anchored or moving slowly. The system kept the deck steady in heavy seas.

The exterior design came from Terence Disdale. He shaped the lines of the hull. The interior also bears his touch. The layout prioritised space and privacy for guests.

Security was the other priority. Eclipse carried a missile detection system. It also had self-defense systems installed. These were not standard features. They turned the yacht into a fortified vessel.

The yacht could carry two helicopters. Most competitors had only one pad. This allowed for more complex operations. It supported the security mission of the owner.

Eclipse had twenty-four guest cabins. It included two swimming pools and several hot tubs. There was a disco hall for entertainment. The crew size was approximately seventy people. They operated the ship and served the guests.

A mini-submarine could dive to fifty metres. Three launch boats were also on board. The vessel grossed 13,564 tons. Its beam was 22.4 metres wide. These figures show the scale of the project.

How did Roman Abramovich pay for Eclipse?

Abramovich made his wealth in oil and aluminium. He entered the market after the Soviet Union collapsed. In 1995, he bought a stake in Sibneft. He paid about $100 million for it.

He sold that stake to the Russian government in 2005. The price was $13 billion. This transaction made him extremely rich. It funded his later ventures, including Chelsea Football Club.

He also dealt in aluminium. He formed Rusal in 2000. He sold half of Rusal in 2004 for £1.8 billion. This deal made him the richest person under forty at the time.

His wealth is held through complex companies. Much of it sits in Jersey. The structures are opaque. The site reports ownership as stated in public records.

The estimated value of Eclipse is $700 million. Some reports list the build cost at €340 million. Others value the asset at $438 million. The numbers differ because the details are private.

Abramovich holds Russian, Portuguese, and Israeli citizenship. He was Governor of Chukotka from 2000 to 2008. He spent billions building schools there. He resigned to spend more time in the West.

Where has Eclipse been since the sanctions?

The EU froze Eclipse in March 2022. This followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions targeted Abramovich directly. They blocked access to European ports.

Before the freeze, Eclipse travelled widely. It visited the Caribbean each winter. It picked up guests at St. Martin airport. It then went to St. Barts.

Since the sanctions, Eclipse has stayed in Turkish waters. It anchors off the South Aegean coast. It has been seen in Bodrum and Marmaris. It stays in Muğla Province.

The yacht flies the flag of the Cook Islands. Its home port is Hamilton. This registration allows it to operate outside EU jurisdiction. But the sanctions still restrict movement.

Abramovich allegedly spends most of his time in Turkey. He cannot enter the EU. The yacht reflects his isolation. It is a static asset rather than a cruising vessel.

The last AIS position shows Eclipse in the Marmara Sea. The coordinates are 40.73° N, 29.86° E. The status is null. It has not moved significantly since the sanctions began.

Why does the builder matter for Eclipse?

Blohm+Voss built Eclipse in Hamburg. The yard is famous for warships. It built the battleship Bismarck during World War II. It also builds submarines and frigates for the German Navy.

The yard specialises in steel-hulled ships. It has operated since 1877. It has experience in military construction. This background suited the security requirements of Eclipse.

Lürssen acquired Blohm+Voss in 2016. Peter Lürßen invested €20 million in the yard in 2019. The yard covers Dock 10 with a roof. It remains a key player in megayacht construction.

Blohm+Voss serves both military and civilian markets. Eclipse was a bridge between these worlds. It showed that a yacht could have defence capabilities.

The yard administers the Elbe 17 dry dock. This facility handles large vessels. It supports the construction of mega-yachts like Eclipse.

What happened to Eclipse in 2011?

Eclipse arrived in Frederikshavn, Denmark, in September 2009. It underwent sea trials there. First pictures appeared in Kristiansand, Norway, during refuelling.

In February 2011, the yacht was available for charter. SuperYachtsMonaco listed it. The brokerage is based in Monaco. This was a brief period of availability.

The charter offer did not last long. Abramovich retained control. The yacht remained his personal residence. It did not return to the charter market.

Forbes reported in March 2022 that Eclipse was still owned by Abramovich. The report confirmed the continuity of ownership before the sanctions hit.

The yacht’s history is tied to Abramovich’s career. It reflects his rise from a plastic duck seller to a global billionaire. It stands as a monument to that wealth.

The security features remain a mystery. The exact nature of the missile detection system is not public. The self-defense systems are similarly undisclosed. We know they exist. We do not know how they work.

This lack of detail is typical for such vessels. Owners value discretion. Builders protect their designs. The facts we have are limited to what is reported.

Eclipse is a unique case study. It combines luxury with military hardware. It shows how wealth can shape a vessel’s design. It also shows how politics can immobilise it.