The dark clouds hovering over some superyachts in recent years are finally lifting. Following the removal of sanctions from the ill-fated Alfa Nero, the stars have realigned for the mighty Flying Fox, the world’s largest charter yacht, as it has been cleared from sanctions lists. According to newly released U.S. sanctions documentation from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Flying Fox is no longer on the restricted list.
This marks an incredible shift for billionaires and celebrities alike who’ve missed indulging in its legendary two-story spa, complete with a hammam, a 12-meter pool, and the first cryosauna ever installed on a yacht. The luxury vessel, designed by Espen Øino and Mark Berryman, can accommodate up to 22 guests and was originally blocked in June 2022. After a limited comeback earlier this year, restricted to UK and EU citizens, the yacht is now fully cleared for global charters.
With U.S. sanctions lifted, there’s no reason why A-listers like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Leonardo Di Caprio can’t return to this floating palace that was once available for charter at an eye-watering $4 million per week. The Flying Fox had previously landed in hot water due to its alleged connection to Russian billionaire Dmitry Kamenshchik and was seized by U.S. authorities in the Dominican Republic. This marked the first time the U.S. extended its reach beyond territorial waters to target the asset of a sanctioned Russian billionaire, a $455 million asset, no less. A probe led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) ensued, and the Dominican government was instructed to prevent the yacht from leaving.
However, that’s all in the past now. The 9,022 GT superyacht is back on the market, free from sanctions, and ready to sail the globe without restrictions. “With immense pride, we are thrilled to announce that Flying Fox, the epitome of grandeur in the superyacht world, is now available for charters once again,” declared Bluewater Yachting in January 2024. It’s time for the world to witness the opulent Fox fly again, currently sailing around the Malacca Strait with its destination set for Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of Malaysia.
