Roman Abramovich’s $700 million luxury vessel Eclipse is a legend in the world of superyachts. At 162.5 meters long and 22 meters wide, it was once the largest private yacht ever built and remains among the most technically advanced. Delivered in 2010 by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, Eclipse quickly became famous for its sheer scale, luxury features such as two helipads, a submarine, and a pool that transforms into a dance floor, and its reputation as one of the most secure yachts afloat.
Now, after three years of being a fixture in Marmaris, Abramovich’s superyacht has set course for Istanbul, as reported by Turkiye Today. The gargantuan vessel is expected to undergo one of the most comprehensive refits in its 15-year lifespan.
The megayacht, which has been docked at Albatros Marina since arriving from Rhodes in March 2022, racked up an estimated $209,000 per year in mooring fees while sitting idle. Its voyage north marks the start of a critical maintenance phase that blends technical necessity with the cosmetic perfection expected of one of the world’s most famous yachts.
According to Luxurylaunches’ analysis, Eclipse is likely headed to Tuzla Shipyard on Istanbul’s Asian side, which has one of the few dry docks in the region capable of handling a vessel of its scale, measuring 350 meters by 65 meters. The timing is telling: delivered in 2010, the yacht has now reached the 15-year mark, aligning with what the maritime industry calls a Class Special Survey. This deep inspection is required every five years to keep vessels in class with their flag authority, and the 15-year milestone is particularly demanding.
The list of works expected reads like a checklist of every system that keeps a yacht of this scale running smoothly. The hull will undergo ultrasonic thickness gauging, fairing, antifouling renewal, anode replacement, and corrosion control. The running gear, including the tail shafts, rudder stock, steering gear, and stabilizers, will be dismantled and inspected.
Sea systems such as sea chests, valves, coolers, and piping must be opened, overhauled, and certified. Life-saving and fire-fighting equipment will undergo compliance checks, alongside electrical and automation systems that ensure the vessel meets modern safety codes.
On top of the technical work, cosmetic upgrades are almost certain. The yacht’s superstructure and hull may undergo partial or full repainting, a task that is both labor-intensive and staggeringly expensive at this scale. Full repaints for yachts in Eclipse’s size category have been known to climb into eight figures, with one legal case citing £15 million (around $20 million) solely for paint work. Luxurylaunches estimates that the combined cost of the 15-year special survey and associated cosmetic works could easily exceed $40 million.
For Abramovich, these costs are not merely upkeep but an investment in retaining Eclipse’s reputation as a floating symbol of wealth and engineering prowess. With six decks, lavish interiors, and unmatched security systems, the yacht has remained one of the most iconic on the seas.
Its long stay in Marmaris was a reminder of how geopolitics have shaped the movements of Abramovich’s fleet since 2022, but its departure now shifts attention to Istanbul, where both industry insiders and the public will watch its transformation closely. When Eclipse emerges from dry dock, it will not just be renewed—it will be reasserting its place among the elite circle of vessels that define modern superyachting.
