Russian oligarch’s superyacht ‘Eclipse’ docked in Marmaris for nearly 3 years

The superyacht Eclipse, owned by Russian billionaire and former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, has been anchored at a private marina in the coastal town of Marmaris for nearly three years.

Valued at £500 million ($618.5 million), the yacht Eclipse has drawn attention for its luxurious features and state-of-the-art security systems.

Since arriving from Rhodes in March 2022, the 162.5-meter vessel has remained docked, with an estimated annual mooring fee of $209,000.

A floating fortress of luxury

The Eclipse, one of the world’s largest and most opulent yachts, is equipped with amenities including swimming pools, a cinema, diving equipment and two mini-submarines.

Its advanced security systems feature missile defense technology, paparazzi-repelling laser systems, and two helicopter pads, earning it the nickname “floating fortress.”

Ranked as the second-largest yacht globally, the Eclipse is often seen alongside Abramovich’s other mega yacht, My Solaris. Both vessels underscore the trend of Russian oligarchs relocating some of their luxury assets to the region, including Türkiye.

Russian oligarch’s yachts floating in Turkish waters

Two super yachts and a main supply boat have all been floating in Turkish waters for much of the past three years, apparently waiting for the oligarch’s next move.

His representatives claim he is “not the owner of either of these yachts and has not visited them since 2021”, but locals insist they have encountered him near the vessels on the south-west coast according to the Telegraph‘s report.

Well-placed sources suggest that Abramovich continues to act as an intermediary in back-channel negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Legal documents in the United States indicate he served as a potential peacemaker until at least the end of 2022. This role could potentially make him a target.

One well-connected Moscow-based Abramovich expert speaking to Telegraph says: “There are probably four centers of gravity—Israel, Russia, Türkiye and the Caribbean, with the yachts giving him good flexibility.”

Sanctions push oligarchs to Türkiye

Amid concerns over sanctions, many Russian oligarchs have moved their luxury assets, such as yachts and private jets, to jurisdictions perceived as safer. Türkiye, which has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, decided to stay neutral position in this conflict and has emerged as a popular destination for these assets.

Ankara’s decision to remain neutral positioned it as a crucial “bridge” between the West and Russia, facilitating communication and providing a platform for negotiations.

In 2024, Türkiye served as the site for a historic prisoner exchange between the West and Moscow. As part of the swap, Russia released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and others in a major deal with the United States.

The future plans for the Eclipse, including how long it will remain in Marmaris or its next destination, remain uncertain.