The secret rival of Abramovich

The owner of the world's most expensive yacht in the world will be a Russian billionaire, whose name is still kept secret at this yacht 134 meters long, two helicopter sites and a hold for a small submarine. But the most remarkable in the yacht that is now being built in Genoa is a record cost: 140 million pounds.

The team of the most expensive private yacht in the world will have 60 people. Apartments for passengers (such rooms on the ship 15) are equipped with the latest technology, and bathrooms with jacuzzi are finished with gold and marble. The upper deck of the yacht is divided into three zones: a helicopter platform on arches, a covered sports ground with a circular review and a walking deck. If the guests are bored with entertainment on board, they will be able to ride water skiing or motor boats.

The name of the owner of the yacht, the construction of which is planned to be completed by 2010, while being kept secret, but there are rumors that it will belong to the Russian billionaire, and among possible customers, the name of Roman Abramovich, the owner of the Chelsea football club, who bought himself four yachts, is not mentioned.

Work on the construction of a vessel, which has no name yet, but has only number 6154, began last Saturday, but experts have already expressed the opinion that this yacht will become only the next stage in the Gigamit race, the size of which billionaires consider one of the indicators of their high status. The number of private marine giants indicates that the competitions are in full swing: if 20 years ago there were only 300 yachts in the world more than 30 meters in the world, today there are already more than 5 thousand.

According to Nick Griffith, the managing director of Ancasta, one of the largest yacht brokers, the vessel under construction has already become a reason for gossip among yachtsmen: “The market was flooded with giant yachts, and the Russians are ahead of everyone. They compete, who has a longer yacht, the mast is higher, and the finish is better. Judging by my experience, for Russian oligarchs, such vessels are an indicator of their social status. They are more often concerned about the design of the yacht than what it is intended for. ”

The publisher of the journal about the elite yachts Boat International Tony Harris agrees with him: “The market for large yachts is now experiencing an extraordinary rise. As soon as the owner sees his new yacht, usually the first thing he pronounces: “We had to do more.”

Alev Karagul from Nigel Burgess, selling elite yachts, also notes that large yachts have become the subject of competitions.

So, among the yachts belonging to Abramovich, there is already a 114-meter Pelorus vessel, which is estimated at 72 million pounds, and recently announced that he was going to purchase a fifth yacht called Eclipse, which is now being built in a shipyard in Hamburg. This vessel worth more than 100 million pounds will be equipped with two helicopters, three boats, a pool and a submarine. For greater safety of the owner, the Eclipse will be installed by bulletproof glass and the missile system.

Among the lovers of ultra -large yachts is one of the founders of Microsoft Paul Allen, who owns the Octopus vessel worth 126 million pounds, and the owner of the Harrods chain Mohammed al -Faid - he owns the Sokar yacht, which is estimated at 17 million pounds.

The new giant yacht is built by one of the leading shipbuilding companies Fincantieri by order of the Broker Camper and Nicholsons International. The interior decoration is developed by the British designer Pascal Reimond.

“When this ship is built, it will become the most modern and elegant among all existing yachts. Inside there will be a pool with sea water, and a minimal is located in the hold, which can fall to a depth of up to 100 meters, ”says the head of Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono.

03/11/2007 / Nick Pisa / Rome, Roya Nikhah / London Material published in the newspaper No. 43 of 03/12/2007.