Why Scheherazade is a security vessel, not a yacht

Scheherazade arrived in 2020 as a 10,167-tonne steel-and-aluminium vessel designed by Espen Oeino and fitted with an interior by Francois Zuretti. Its most distinctive architectural choices—the twin flight decks, the absence of outdoor pools, and the placement of the spa—were dictated not by luxury markets but by the operational demands of a crew drawn from Russia’s presidential guard.

Scheherazade measures 140.01 metres. She sits at the top of the list of motor yachts in the world. The yard that built her is Lürssen. They work in Lemwerder, Germany. This is one of their main shipyards.

The owner is Eduard Khudainatov. He is a Russian energy executive. He used to lead Rosneft. The US Department of Justice named him in May 2022. They said he holds the boat for Vladimir Putin.

Italian authorities seized the yacht on 6 May 2022. They did this because of its links to the Russian government. It has been sitting in Marina di Carrara ever since. It has not moved for years.

How did Lürssen build such a large hull?

Lürssen is the largest yacht builder in the world. They started in 1875. They build naval ships and special vessels too. Their facility in Lemwerder handles big projects.

Scheherazade uses a steel hull. It has an aluminium superstructure. This mix gives strength without too much weight. The yard launched the hull on 5 July 2019. That was after ten months of assembly on the slipway.

Sea trials happened the next month. The yacht entered service in June 2020. It left Lemwerder for Norway then. It sailed to Sochi later that summer. The New York Times reported it looked like a sister ship to Crescent. Crescent is owned by Igor Sechin.

The estimated value is US$700 million. This figure came from SuperYachtFan in 2022. The project name during build was Lightning. The exterior design came from Espen Oeino. The interiors were done by Francois Zuretti.

The gross tonnage is 10,167. This measures the inside volume. A beam of 24 metres keeps it wide. Six levels hold all the spaces. The main deck has six guest cabins. It also has a grand dining room.

The upper deck has two VIP suites. One suite includes a player piano. The owner's deck has his-and-hers suites. These have separate bathrooms and walk-in closets. Studies and dressing rooms are also there.

There are twenty-two cabins in total. They can accommodate forty guests. The crew count is ninety-four people. This is a large team for the size. Most of them are Russian citizens.

Why does Scheherazade have two helidecks?

The yacht has two helicopter decks. This is unusual for a leisure vessel. Most yachts have only one. Two decks allow for rapid rotation of aircraft. This supports continuous air operations.

The Federal Protective Service requires this level of capability. They protect high-ranking officials. They need reliable transport options. The bow volume supports this stack. It houses the aviation systems.

The crew composition confirms this purpose. At least ten crew members are officers. They belong to the Federal Protective Service. This service protects the Russian President. Other staff are from the presidential guard.

An opposition group published a crew list in 2022. It showed all crew except the captain were Russian. This matches the security profile. Imperial Yachts manages the vessel. They operate out of Monaco.

The design prioritises function over style. Luxury features exist but serve a dual role. The gym supports physical readiness. Gold-plated bathroom fixtures add status. The layout allows for secure movement.

The spa includes a hammam. It also has a sauna. A cryotherapy chamber is present. A hydro massage room completes the set. These facilities help maintain crew health. They support long deployments.

Why are there no outdoor swimming pools?

Outdoor pools are common on large yachts. Scheherazade has none. This exclusion was deliberate. Privacy reasons drove the decision. An indoor pool exists instead.

The indoor pool has a retractable floor. This floor can become a dance floor. It converts the space for events. This flexibility serves official functions. It hides the water feature when not needed.

The absence of an outdoor pool reduces visibility. It limits public access to certain areas. This aligns with security protocols. It prevents casual observation of activities below deck.

The design removes unnecessary exposure. Large open decks attract attention. Closed volumes offer control. The yacht moves between secure locations. It avoids crowded marinas when possible.

This approach suits state protection duties. It balances comfort with secrecy. Guests use the indoor facilities. Crew operate from hidden stations. The structure supports both roles.

Where has Scheherazade been since 2021?

The yacht sailed to Hurghada, Egypt in September 2020. It returned to Sochi in July 2021. Then it headed to Italy. It docked at Marina di Carrara. This port is in Tuscany.

It stayed there until May 2022. Italian authorities investigated its ownership. American authorities joined the probe. They checked if the owner faced sanctions. The link to Putin was key.

The ship left the shipyard in May 2022. It was ready to leave the port. But it was seized on 6 May. The seizure blocked its departure. It remains anchored nearby.

AIS data shows it stationary since September 2021. The last position is 44.03° N, 10.04° E. This is in the Ligurian Sea. It has not moved for years.

The flag is Malaysia. This is a proxy registry. It hides the true beneficial owner. The home port is null. This reflects the legal uncertainty.

The IMO number is 9809980. The MMSI is 533132321. These identify the vessel globally. They track its history. They confirm its current status.

The vessel is immobilised by law. Sanctions prevent its use. The owner cannot sail it. The crew remains on standby. The boat waits for resolution.

What makes Scheherazade unique among megayachts?

Most megayachts prioritize leisure. Scheherazade prioritises security. Its features reflect this shift. Twin helidecks enable rapid response. Enclosed volumes protect privacy.

The crew composition is distinct. Federal Protective Service officers serve onboard. This is rare for private vessels. It indicates direct state involvement. The budget supports this staffing.

The design by Espen Oeino adapts to these needs. Francois Zuretti handled the interiors. They balanced aesthetics with function. The result is a hybrid vessel.

It looks like a luxury yacht. It operates like a state asset. The distinction matters for owners. It affects insurance and maintenance. It changes how the vessel is managed.

The seizure highlights these risks. Assets linked to sanctioned individuals freeze. Legal battles determine their fate. Scheherazade sits in limbo. Its future depends on politics.

The yard delivered a complex product. Lürssen met the technical challenges. The client received a secure platform. The cost was substantial. The value remains high.

Observers study its design closely. It reveals trends in state-owned yachts. Security features become standard. Privacy measures increase in importance. The market shifts accordingly.

Scheherazade stands as a case study. It shows how wealth meets power. It demonstrates the limits of privacy. Law enforcement tracks every move. The AIS broadcast never lies.