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Exclusive: pushing the boundaries of technology, Sailing Yacht A
Andrey Melnichenko is a man with exceptional vision. Where other yacht owners like to blend into the background, he wants his superyachts to push the boundaries of design, creativity and technology as well as make a statement. His first superyacht, Motor Yacht A , rocked the superyacht world with its radical design and now he’s done it again.
With an insatiable appetite to drive change he has put together a highly skilled team to build his new creation, currently under construction in Germany. Boat International was given exclusive access to the yacht, and we can reveal for the first time its name, Sailing Yacht A , and that this huge new project is a “sail-assisted motor yacht”.
This is the second yacht in Melnichenko’s portfolio. His first, Motor Yacht A , split opinion, but today stands as one of the most talked about and recognisable yachts in the world. But Sailing Yacht A is a much bolder move and Melnichenko has raised the stakes even higher with a radically designed yacht that introduces new technologies and techniques never before used in the shipbuilding industry. He also broke down barriers by creating his own project team to undertake the build from start to finish. Sailing Yacht A is a monument to invention.
Philippe Starck , who created Motor Yacht A , and from there went on to design Venus for the late Steve Jobs, is working once again for Andrey and Aleksandra Melnichenko on the project. “I am honoured and happy to bring to life the owner’s dream of what will be the summit of high technology and poetry,” says Starck.
Sailing Yacht A is a unique story that began as far back as 2008 when eight of the world’s leading designers were invited to submit their ideas for a huge project – the creation of one of the world’s biggest sail-assisted private yachts. Initially, French designer Jacques Garcia was chosen for his designs, but later there were concerns about the progress of design development, and the owner decided on a change of direction.
Sailing Yacht A is slated for delivery in 2016, although her masts were not stepped when Boat International was invited on board in July. The interior was also under wraps, but here we can take a look at some of her incredible statistics.
She is a three-masted, 142.81 metre (LOA) sail-assisted motor yacht, with a moulded beam at the widest point of 24.88 metres, an eight metre encapsulated keel and a gross tonnage of approximately 12,700GT. For a vessel of this size it was a challenge to find a shipyard that had the capacity, knowledge and skills to put together the naval architecture and engineering for the motor yacht side of the project. The one chosen, given its skills in building large yachts, was Nobiskrug in Germany.
For the sailing design, rig and keel, and associated structural engineering, Dykstra Naval Architects in The Netherlands was appointed for its advanced technical abilities demonstrated on various world-class sailing yachts. Aloft Sailing Yacht A carries three of the largest and most highly loaded composite freestanding structures in the world produced by Magma Structures in the UK. The custom booms were made by Future Fibres in Valencia, and the custom sails by Doyle Sails in the USA.
With a hull and superstructure predominantly constructed of steel and incorporating composite and accents of carbon fibre, in order to keep the weight and draught to an acceptable level, Sailing Yacht A is the highest classified vessel of her type: (Maltese Cross) 100A1 Passenger ship Sail Assisted, (Maltese Cross) LMC UMC and (Maltese Cross) 100A1 Yacht Mono G6.
Propulsion comes from a customised hybrid diesel-electric package made up of two MTU 3,600kW diesel engines, and two 4,300kW electric motors, driving shafts ending in highly skewed five-bladed Andritz controllable pitch propellers. She is expected to cruise under power at 16 knots with an expected range of 5,320 nautical miles and will have a top speed of 21 knots.
With her uninterrupted shard-like appearance she carries her eight decks aft along the sheerline, which slopes up towards the stern, reaching a full beam width of 24.88 metres at the widest point. All her machinery is hidden within the hull structure, and as you can see, everything, including the windows, are flush. The bridge control centre for propulsion and sailing systems is on deck seven and there is a touch-and-go helicopter pad on deck six. There is accommodation available for up to 54 crew.
There are many more technical advances, innovations and surprises throughout her hull, decks and keel, which Boat International will reveal, in detail, in an exclusive feature in the November issue.
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MOTOR YACHT A – Cutting-edge $300M Superyacht
MOTOR YACHT A is one of the largest privately-owned megayachts in existence, measuring 119 meters (390 ft) in length.
It is currently ranked the 27th biggest yacht in the world and sails under the flag of Bermuda.
A was built by the famous shipyard Blohm & Voss in Kiel, Germany and after four years of construction, she was handed over to her new owner in 2008.
Motor Yacht A (MY A) | |
119 meters (390ft) | |
14 | |
35 | |
Blohm + Voss | |
Philippe Starck | |
Philippe Starck | |
2008 | |
23 knots | |
6,000 ton | |
US $300 million | |
US $20 – 30 million |
MOTOR YACHT A interior
The interior of the 119 meters (390 ft) long A offers plenty of natural light and elaborate wooden furniture, providing a luxurious and comfortable ambiance.
The interior design is by Philippe Starck, a renowned French architect, and designer who helped develop the private rooms of the Élysée Palace in Paris.
MOTOR YACHT A features a beautiful master suite and an additional six state-of-the-art guest cabins. A crew of 35 members is able to stay on board to take care of up to 14 guests.
Specifications
Two diesel engines power MOTOR YACHT A with an output of 9,000 kW each. A full tank of over 750,000 liters provides her with an impressive reach of up to 6,500 nautical miles.
Her cruising speed lies at 19 knots, but the vessel can reach maximum speeds of up to 23 knots.
A is equipped with the latest technology and control systems, which aid the crew in maneuvering the gigantic vessel. She has a width of 18.87 meters (61.90 ft) and weighs in at an impressive 5,500 tons.
Philippe Starck also created the exterior design of A in collaboration with naval architect Martin Francis and the shape of the yacht strongly resembles a US Navy destroyer.
A has a total of three swimming pools distributed on the different decks.
The pool on the front deck is the largest of all and is equipped with a jet nozzle that can simulate currents.
Furthermore, A features a spacious beach club as well as three tenders housed in their own garages.
She also has her own helicopter landing pad located on the forward main deck while three elevators make it easy for guests and crew to reach the different levels of the vessel.
Of course, A is equipped with a high-quality gym and a spacious spa area.
The price of MOTOR YACHT A is estimated at about US $300 million, which the owner, Russian billionaire Melnichenko paid for the vessel in 2008.
The annual costs amount to US $12 to $15 million depending on use.
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Italy seizes Russian oligarch Melnichenko's Sailing Yacht A
ROME (REUTERS) - Italian police have seized a superyacht from Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, the prime minister's office said on Saturday (March 12), a few days after the businessman was placed on an EU sanctions list following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The 143-metre (470-foot) Sailing Yacht A, which has a price tag of 530 million euros (S$791 million), has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, the government said.
Designed by Philippe Starck and built by Nobiskrug in Germany, the vessel is the world’s biggest sailing yacht, the government said.
Melnichenko owned major fertiliser producer EuroChem Group and coal company SUEK.
The companies said in statements on Thursday that he had resigned as a member of the board in both companies and withdrawn as their beneficiary, effective Wednesday.
Last week, Italian police seized villas and yachts worth 143 million euros (S$212 million) from five high-profile Russians who have been placed on the sanctions list.
The police operations were part of a coordinated drive by Western states to penalise wealthy Russians linked to President Vladimir Putin.
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Russian oligarch's $300 million superyacht hides in plain sight in UAE's neutral waters, avoiding sanctions
- The 390ft superyacht has been anchored in the United Arab Emirates for weeks.
- The vessel belongs to Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, worth an estimated $23 billion.
- Italian authorities seized his $600 million superyacht in March amid western sanctions.
A superyacht belonging to a sanctioned Russian oligarch has been spotted in the port of Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates, according to AP journalists who saw the vessel on Tuesday.
Andrey Melnichenko's 390ft Philippe Starck-designed Motor Yacht A, worth $300 million, was last reported in Dubai, according to vessel-tracking website MarineTraffic .
Melnichenko's other yacht, worth $600 million, was seized by Italian authorities in early March as part of western sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Remaining in the UAE port puts the yacht beyond the reach of western sanctions.
UAE has publicly expressed neutrality about the war in Ukraine. Insider previously reported that sanctioned oligarchs can obtain golden visas by investing at least 10 million dirhams ($2.7 million) in a local company or investment fund.
The Australian broadcaster ABC News and the Financial Times first reported the story.
Related stories
According to MarineTraffic, the superyacht used to sail under the UK flag.
However, in March, the government of the Isle of Man, a British crown dependency in the Irish Sea, said it had deregistered Melnichenko's yachts including Motor Yacht A because of western sanctions. It added: "We will continue to act with appropriate robustness should the situation warrant it."
European officials told the FT that they don't want "our allies to become facilitators for the Putin regime," and raised concerns with Emirati counterparts that sanctioned individuals could treat the UAE as a financial haven.
Melnichenko, worth $23.5 billion according to Forbes , founded one of Russia's most successful lenders, MDM Bank. He also founded the fertilizer producer Eurochem and coal energy company SUEK.
Russian oligarchs have also turned to alternative routes regarding financial transactions, such as hawala , an informal money exchange .
A Russian businessman told the FT: "Big banks are more cautious but smaller banks are offering help to those wishing to relocate. It's just taking a lot of time."
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Italy seizes Russian billionaire Melnichenko's Sailing Yacht A
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Reporting by Emilio Parodi in Bergamo and Stevo Vasiljevic in Tivat Writing by Giselda Vagnoni Editing by Frances Kerry
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Ukraine's newly minted judges have waited years to be hired and know they must create trust in the courts for the country's European aspirations to be realised.
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COMMENTS
The Sailing Yacht A, initially known as Project 787 'White Pearl,' was delivered by Nobiskrug to her owner, Andrey Melnichenko, in 2017. As the world's largest sailing yacht, she measures an impressive 143 meters (469 ft) in length with a beam of 25 meters (82 ft). Featuring eight decks, SY A can accommodate 20 guests and a crew of 20.
SAILING YACHT A measures 143 meters making her the world's biggest sailing yacht. Owned by Andrey Melnichenko, she has an estimated value of US $600 million. ... SAILING YACHT A is the most expensive sailing yacht in the world and cost an estimated price of US $600 million - a relatively "affordable" price considering her large size and ...
Sailing Yacht A is a sailing yacht launched in 2015. [2] The vessel is a sail-assisted motor yacht [ 3 ] designed by Philippe Starck (exteriors and interiors) [ 4 ] [ 5 ] and built by Nobiskrug in Kiel , Germany for the Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko .
Designed by Philippe Starck, the "A" has quickly become the most loved and loathed ship on the sea. WSJ's Robert Frank takes an exclusive tour of Andrey Meln...
The yacht was reportedly available for sale at one point with a hefty price tag of EUR 250 million or US$ 300 million, but it's confirmed that the yacht is currently not on the market. ... Andrey Melnichenko, the owner of Motor Yacht A, often uses this magnificent vessel as a mobile office for his global business affairs. Its exclusivity and ...
The yacht, owned by Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, was build in Kiel, Germany and is now passing through Denmark on its way to Kristiansand in Norway. The boat's owner, Andrey Melnichenko, is said to be worth $11.6 billion by Forbes, making him one of the 140 richest people in the world. The 44-year-old reportedly owns coal and fertilizer ...
SAILING YACHT A, a 142.81 m Sail Yacht built in Germany and delivered in 2017, is the flagship of Nobiskrug. Her top speed is 21.0 kn and she boasts a maximum range of 5320.0 nm when navigating at cruising speed, with power coming from two MTU diesel engines. She has a gross tonnage of 12700.0 GT and a 24.88 m beam.
Melnichenko, estimated by Forbes to be worth $11.6 billion - making him the 139th richest person in the world - will add Sailing Yacht A to his 119-meter Motor Yacht A.
The second-gen "A" yacht Melnichenko commissioned is a 468-foot-long vessel that thanks to the trio of 300-foot-tall masts that graces its deck, is the largest sail-powered boat in the world. Designed by Philippe Starck and built by Nobiskrug, the steel-hulled sea monster has a gym, spa, helipad and underwater observation room as well as a ...
Sailing Yacht A, Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's latest venture, started its sea testing in Strande, Germany last month ahead of its proposed 2017 delivery. At 143 meters, it will be ...
Andrey Melnichenko, yacht owner of Sailing Yacht A and Motor Yacht A She is a three-masted, 142.81 metre (LOA) sail-assisted motor yacht, with a moulded beam at the widest point of 24.88 metres, an eight metre encapsulated keel and a gross tonnage of approximately 12,700GT.
The price of MOTOR YACHT A is estimated at about US $300 million, which the owner, Russian billionaire Melnichenko paid for the vessel in 2008. The annual costs amount to US $12 to $15 million depending on use.
One has been hiding in plain sight. Italian authorities in March impounded Russian coal and fertilisers magnate Andrey Melnichenko's $600mn Sailing Yacht A after Russia invaded Ukraine. Another ...
The 143-metre Sailing Yacht A, which has a price tag of 530 million euros ($794 million), has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, the government said. Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko ...
The "A", designed by Philippe Starck, arrived in San Francisco in September after making stops in Alaska and Seattle. WSJ took an exclusive tour of Andrey Melnichenko's 394-foot mega-yacht in 2010.
Sailing Yacht A owned by Andrey Melnichenko is seen on May 24, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. The vessel has been seized by Italian authorities after Melnichenko was sanctioned by the EU for Russia ...
Melnichenko's yacht, worth nearly $600 million, is the third to be frozen by Italian authorities over the past week, after Alexey Mordashov's Lady M and Gennady Timchenko's Lena.
The 143-metre (470-foot) Sailing Yacht A, which has a price tag of 530 million euros (S$791 million), has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, the government said.
A megayacht belonging to Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko was seized by Italian authorities on Friday, CNN reported. A statement from Italy's finance police said the yacht, known as SY A or ...
Andrey Melnichenko's 390ft Philippe Starck-designed Motor Yacht A, worth $300 million, was last reported in Dubai, according to vessel-tracking website MarineTraffic. Melnichenko's other yacht ...
Such is the case with the owner of this much-talked-about 394-footer. Robert Frank of which Melnichenko and his designer, the famed Philippe Starck, outfitted to indulge the senses. Melnichenko, the Russian-born founder of fertilizer producer EuroChem Group, took delivery of the massive megayacht from in 2008.
The 143-metre (470-foot) Sailing Yacht A, which has a price tag of 530 million euros ($578 million), has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, the government said.
Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko (Russian: ... warning of a global food crisis and likely food shortages due to "soaring prices in fertilisers". [14] Sanctions ... Two high-tech yachts were built for Andrey Melnichenko: Sailing Yacht A (2017) [80] [81] [82] and Motor Yacht A (2008).