[imagesource: Lam Yik / Bloomberg]

Superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs have been seized en masse since the country invaded and essentially declared war on Ukraine.

In order to avoid joining those ranks, owners have tried to sail their yachts to countries that are more forgiving, as well as shrouding ownership details from the public eye.

Despite this, it’s widely reported that the Nord superyacht, worth in the region of R9 billion, is owned by Russian Alexey Mordashov.

The 141-metre vessel, which was sanctioned by the EU, the UK and US after the invasion, is due to dock in Cape Town on November 9 after setting sail from Hong Kong.

The ANC’s continued failure to condemn Russia’s actions may make us seem like a favourable destination, but Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is fighting back.

TimesLIVE reports:

“I have written to the minister of international relations and co-operation Naledi Pandor requesting her intervention to block the entry of a vessel — owned and sailed by Alexey Mordashov and bound for Cape Town — into the republic. I have also requested that Mordashov not be allowed to enter the country,” said Hill-Lewis…

Hill-Lewis said the international community recognised the invasion of Ukraine as illegal and there was evidence of war crimes committed against its people.

Mordashov has amassed a sizeable fortune in Russia, with a focus on the banking, steel, and media sectors. Some reports state he is the second-richest man in Russia.

Hill-Lewis is powerless to prevent the yacht from docking as The City of Cape Town itself does not have jurisdiction over ports or international borders.

Only the national government – in other words, the ANC – can impose sanctions or ban a vessel from entering our waters. Given the spineless kowtowing of our ruling party, there’s a chance the Nord may not be the last superyacht headed our way:

Well, this gels with my theory that South Africa could become the next stopover of choice for the jets, yachts, and other toys of Russia’s sanctioned elites. https://t.co/pywmwjh3oQ

— Joseph Cotterill (@jsphctrl) October 20, 2022

Shall we take a look around? First up, some drone shots to give you a sense of scale:

The real jaw-dropper is a look at what luxuries greet you once on board.

The 141-metre vessel has two helicopter landing pads, a total of six decks, swimming pools, elevators, gyms, saunas, cinemas and all the fittings you would expect from the price tag.

To watch the interior tour below you’ll need to click on ‘Watch on YouTube’:

This video also gives you a small sense of the amenities:

Perhaps the best way to really understand the scale of the superyacht is via this illustration.

You can click on the image below for the full-size version:

Ahead of its impending docking on November 9, you can track the progress of the Nord here.

[source:timeslive]