Superyacht Seized in Spain as Sanctioned Owner Stops Fees

Vessel has been linked to Russian defense executive Chemezov
The 85-meter superyacht has been valued at $140 million

Sergei Chemezov
Photographer: Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP/Getty Images

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By Gaspard Sebag and Stephanie Baker

November 3, 2022 at 6:07 PM UTC

Updated on

November 4, 2022 at 9:02 AM UTC

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A Spanish court moved to seize a superyacht valued at $140 million that’s linked to a senior executive at a Russian defense conglomerate, after the owner stopped paying maintenance fees in June.

The court order to seize the 85 meter (279 feet) Meridian A -- formerly called Valerie -- was handed down by a Barcelona judge on Wednesday, according to the Spanish maritime authorities.