Alfa Nero Returns to the Charter Market with New Life
Alfa Nero, a renowned superyacht, overcomes legal troubles and returns to the charter market with a new lease on life.
The renowned Oceanco Alfa Nero, a remarkable 82-meter superyacht, is making waves as it re-enters the charter market after a comprehensive refit conducted by Martinique Shipyard. This marks a new chapter for a vessel that has been at the center of a controversial narrative, fraught with legal entanglements and political ramifications.
The luxury yacht, originally launched in 2007, found itself in a tangled web following the imposition of sanctions on its owner, Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev, due to the invasion of Ukraine. This led to the yacht being abandoned in Antigua’s Falmouth Harbour since 2022, resulting in spiraling maintenance costs and preventing its sale.
The breakthrough came with the intervention of the Antiguan government, which utilized an unconventional legal framework under the Port Authority Amendment Act to treat the yacht as a wreck. This enabled the government to expedite its sale, deeming it both an environmental hazard and a financial burden. Although this decision sparked further legal challenges, especially from Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, Guryev's daughter, it ultimately facilitated the yacht's sale to an undisclosed buyer for approximately $40 million, less than the initial auction price of $68 million.
The refit by the newly opened Martinique Shipyard in January 2024 marked its transition from servicing dry-docked military vessels to entering the yachting market. Under tight deadlines, the shipyard refurbished the Alfa Nero with meticulous care, including servicing its propellers, replacing shaft line seals, repainting the hull, and executing several other maintenance tasks to ensure it was seaworthy and charter-ready.
This milestone not only solidifies Martinique Shipyard’s place as a leading player in Caribbean yacht services but also relieves Antigua of the financial and environmental risks previously posed by the stationary yacht. Now listed for charter with Northrop & Johnson, the Alfa Nero demands a hefty charter fee starting at $810,000 per week, enticing clients with the allure of a storied and luxurious maritime experience.
The return of the Alfa Nero signifies much-needed economic relief for Antigua, as it transitions from a dormant asset mired in controversy to a vibrant participant in the nautical tourism market. As the superyacht embarks on its new journey, many hope its past controversies remain in its wake, offering a pristine chapter ahead.
