- Lurssen’s $500 million Nord, owned by Alexei Mordashov, gained fame for evading capture during a year-long chase.
- The yacht features luxury amenities like a Triton submarine and a garage filled with custom tenders and SUVs.
- After months of evasion, Nord resurfaced in June 2023 and is now anchored in Vladivostok, Russia.
When it comes to superyachts, the name Lurssen always makes waves, renowned for crafting state-of-the-art luxury vessels like the $450 million USD Project Ali Baba and the $525 million USD Ahpo. Among these impressive creations, the Nord, priced at a staggering $500 million USD (c. $727 million AUD at time of writing) stands out not just for its grandeur but for its incredible year-long game of nautical cat and mouse to avoid capture.
Owned by Alexei Mordashov, Russia’s sixth-wealthiest person and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, this 465-foot behemoth has captivated the world with its daring escapades.
A Tuxedo-Wearing Warship
Delivered by Lurssen in 2021, Nord quickly gained a place in the pantheon of 100m+ superyachts and became popular among yacht spotters. It is a real visual spectacle created by the great Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard and described as “a warship wearing a tuxedo.” The yacht’s majestic build features a champagne-coloured hull and a flared bow, which gives way to the striking foredeck, with the yacht’s nameplate boldly emblazoned across the front, lighting up at night in a soft turquoise glow.
Nautical blues greet guests in the formal lounge with panoramic views, where a grand piano serenades them out to the endless horizon. The dining area, fit for royalty, accommodates 14 guests under the chandelier treads, while the vessel can house up to 36 guests in 18 staterooms served by a crew of 42.
But below decks, Nord shows off its true claim to fame: a cavernous tender garage housing an armada of 14 custom tenders, comprising sleek boats, powerful jet skis, black SUVs, and rugged quad bikes. The pièce de résistance? A state-of-the-art Triton personal submarine, providing underwater exploration in unmatched luxury.
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With a volume of 10,154 GT, powered by four MTU engines, Nord will cut through the waves at a top speed of 20 knots, perfect for long-distance cruising and adventures around the world.
Nord’s Stealthy Journey
But it’s not only Nord’s opulent list of amenities that has grabbed the world’s attention. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western nations moved to sanction Putin’s inner circle—seizing more than a dozen vessels, including the $90 million USD Tango and the $325 million USD Amadea. The Nord, however, went on an odyssey of evasion that would span continents.
The yacht’s journey read like a spy novel, featuring a diplomatic standoff between Hong Kong and Washington. Nord was embroiled in an international incident when it dropped anchor in Hong Kong. The local government, in defiance of U.S. sanctions, did nothing, and the yacht remained intact in Victoria Harbour. Under growing pressure, Nord sailed off quietly to Cape Town in South Africa. But before the officials could track it down it turned off its transponder and vanished from radar for almost eight months.
On June 12, 2023, after months of speculation and intrigue, Nord finally transmitted a signal near Indonesia. A few weeks later, the yacht entered Russian waters and is now anchored in Vladivostok, having completed its covert journey. The cost of keeping it under wraps is anyone’s guess, but it must run into the millions.
While the Nord succeeded in slipping through the fingers of international authorities, Mordashov’s other yacht-the 213-foot long Lady M, named in honour of his second wife and valued at a sizeable $55 million USD, did not fare quite so well and fell prey to Italian police.
