When you’re an influencer in Dubai, your mornings can come with a Burj Khalifa view and, in some instances, even the $500 million megayacht Nord gliding by as if it’s no big deal. Call it the charm of Dubai, or the fear of seizures, but Nord has been steering clear of the Mediterranean and has made Dubai its temporary refuge. By the looks of it, the yacht seems to be on a refit run. It appears to be wrapped from stem to stern in an odd-looking netting or protective covering. Yes, it’s not something you see on a goliath every day, but this is the Nord megayacht, and ordinary has never been part of the brief. The 465-footer built by Lürssen may simply be en route for maintenance, and a fresh paint job could be underway, which would explain the sheath over the exterior.
With Europe no longer an option for Nord because of US and EU sanctions, any serious work has to happen at a yard that can handle a 10,000 GT vessel like the tuxedo-donning superyacht. The most obvious choice for Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov would be Drydocks World Dubai, adjacent to Port Rashid, which can comfortably dry-dock and maintain something Nord-sized.
This full-scale commercial shipyard offers not one but three graving docks, plus a floating dock. The dock dimensions are generous and can accommodate Nord, and even larger vessels, with capacities quoted at around 521 m long and 100 m wide, with a 12 m draft.
In short, Nord may not have made it to La Ciotat, but in Dubai it has found a fully equipped yard that can take a yacht of this scale. If Nord is indeed in line for a full paint job, the work could set the owner back at least $5 million. That’s pocket change for Mordashov, who, with a net worth of $28 billion, presides over the six-deck behemoth that blends naval prowess with opulent comfort. Last spotted soaking up the sun in the Maldives, the Nord megayacht comes with over 111,000 sq ft of enclosed space, a helicopter landing pad, a full diving and sports center, a sun terrace, a spa and wellness center, pools, and 18 cabins for 36 guests in unmatched luxury.
As for Davide Cesaro, the man who enjoyed his coffee with a side of Nord, a yacht that carries a hefty annual maintenance bill of $50 million, he may not be moving from that balcony anytime soon. He captioned his post, “I’m already looking forward to seeing her again soon, fresh from her ‘spa treatment’ and back in pristine form.” So are we.
