It appears that for every sanctioned or abandoned superyacht, there’s a Silicon Valley tycoon ready to come to the rescue. Eric Schmidt attempted to be the knight in shining armor for the ill-fated Alfa Nero, but it wasn’t meant to be. He then swiftly purchased Shahid Khan’s Kismet Yacht for $158 million and renamed it Whisper. Now, rumors suggest that Feadship 1010, a 387-footer, may be sold to another prominent billionaire, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg. The yacht, built in the Netherlands, was originally commissioned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin.
Facing sanctions, Potanin had to relinquish his brand-new pleasure craft, along with dreams of sailing to exotic locations. Launched in August 2022, the Feadship 1010 has been moored and motionless since. The Dutch government allows the sale of these superyachts to non-Russians, making wealthy Americans ideal and acceptable candidates.
According to The Sun, the nearly $382 million Feadship 1010 is likely to find a new owner in billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. It’s important to note that tabloids have previously linked the Facebook CEO to superyachts like Flying Fox and Ulysses.
However, the man who owns over 1,500 acres of land on Hawaii’s Kauai island may actually end up acquiring this stunning vessel to enjoy the azure blue waters of the Pacific. After all, with a net worth of $120 billion, spending $400 million on a Christmas present for oneself certainly seems feasible.
Sanctioned Russian businessman Vagit Alekperov experienced something similar with his brand-new vessel, the 262-foot-long Heesen Galactica. Despite being ready, it was gathering dust for more than a year. It was finally sold to a mystery buyer who renamed it Genesis and sailed to Dubai.
Let’s take a look at the Feadship 1010 superyacht, where we might someday see Mark Zuckerberg practicing martial arts on the deck.
What makes the Feadship 1010 a fantastic vessel?
Longer than a football field, the Feadship 1010 is a large vessel with a volume of 4,999GT. Its exterior was designed by Espen Øino, while the interiors were crafted by the French studio Zuretti. One immediately notices its stark blue hull and a red line across the waterline, reminiscent of Potanin’s $300 million luxury yacht Nirvana, an Oceanco ship with a similar sleek navy blue hull and white superstructure.
Considering the size of this luxury vessel, there is undoubtedly an ample main deck, a swimming pool, and a large helipad with a hangar on the upper deck. Images from sea trials reveal a glass observational lounge and a spacious beach club.
According to Superyachtfan, the yacht can accommodate 24 guests and has a dedicated crew of 48. Its decks are adorned with circular, stylish seating pods, an alfresco dining area, and a bar. The $382 million vessel boasts a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.
Who is Vladimir Potanin:
With a net worth of $30.7 billion (according to Bloomberg), the 62-year-old president of Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest producer of high-grade nickel, ranks among Russia’s wealthiest individuals. Born in Moscow, Potanin graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1983. At the age of 30, he teamed up with fellow billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to form the International Company for Finance & Investments in 1992, and, subsequently, Russia’s largest private bank, Onexim. A few years later, acquiring a substantial stake in Norilsk Nickel propelled them to great wealth. The United States has imposed sanctions on Vladimir Potanin, his wife Ekaterina Potanina, the yacht Nirvana, and some of his financial companies.
