The humongous $700 million megayacht Scheherazade manages to make waves even without any actual movement. The yacht was docked at the Italian Sea Group shipyard in Marina di Carrara, Italy, when officials impounded the magnificent megayacht in May 2022. For the second time in four years, the vessel left the dock after undergoing an extensive refit. The 460-footer, in a welcome change of scenery and state, returned to sea for a few hours on Friday, August 28, sailing off the coast of Cinque Terre before returning to port, reported Sky TG24. Whether it was a test of the vessel after refit completion or a chance for the Lürssen megayacht to stretch its legs, having spent the better part of 1460 days stationary, remains open for speculation.
It is no secret that this pleasure craft is allegedly tied to one of the most powerful and controversial politicians in the world. The six decker that boasts 22 guest cabins with marble ensuites and a long list of luxuries may have been out of action and devoid of vacation, but it has been maintained to look like the floating palace she is. As part of routine maintenance Scheherazade must be undergoing hull and underwater equipment checks mainly to check marine growth corrosion, valves, propellers and rudders. It is imperative to conduct oil and filter checks for the engines and propulsion systems, especially because the vessel isn’t accustomed to being used even occasionally.
The last time she made a move was in December 2024 as reported by Luxurylaunches. At the time, the megayacht was registered under a Malaysian flag, and even during her brief sea journey she was carefully monitored by an Italian military vessel to ensure strict supervision and prevent her from escaping into international waters. This time, she spent more than ten hours outside the harbor, which would be a good amount of time to assess systems working together and identify defects requiring further attention.
It is actually disappointing, that a vessel boasting jaw-dropping amenities like two helipads (D-values 18 and 15), a pool that converts into a dancefloor, cinema, ballroom, gym, sauna, Turkish bath, cryotherapy room, hospital, beach club, and even anti-drone countermeasures has never been able to make full use of them.
In a normal scenario, alleged owner Eduard Khudainatov would spend over $70 million a year maintaining this literal floating fortress of fortune. The Italian taxpayers have been spared the astronomical costs, making Scheherazade an exception. While the state would ordinarily be responsible for preserving a frozen asset, Italian reporting suggests an unusual agreement allowing the shipowner to continue funding the yacht through offshore company Bielor Assets Ltd. it is reported that no less than $14 million a year flows through authorised accounts covering crew salaries, insurance, supplies, maintenance and refit work, with a total of around $47 million spent on the vessel since 2022.
Still, come to think of it, the Scheherazade is truly ill-fated as she was delivered to her owner in June 2020 and arrived at the Marina di Carrara shipyard in Italy in September 2021. The magnificent megayacht in totality enjoyed only 15 months of actual freedom before going in for refits and subsequently being frozen in May 2022. It is a tragedy not only for the ship but for the owners who have all spent millions on this beauty, yet, no one has benefited from all that hard work and grandeur.