A luxury superyacht linked to a close ally of Vladimir Putin has passed through one of the world’s most sensitive shipping routes, raising serious questions about control and enforcement in the region.
The 142 metre vessel known as Nord is associated with Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov who is under Western sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite rising tensions and reduced maritime movement the yacht successfully sailed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.
Tracking data shows the vessel left Dubai on Friday night and arrived in Muscat on Sunday morning. At a time when many ships are avoiding the route its passage has drawn attention and concern.
The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly one fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies making it one of the most important waterways globally. However traffic has dropped sharply due to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
The situation worsened after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a blockade on Iranian ports prompting Tehran to tighten its grip on the waterway.
This makes the movement of the Nord even more striking. While most private vessels have stayed away the yacht managed to pass through without incident raising concerns about how restrictions are being applied and who is able to bypass them.
Although Mordashov is not officially listed as the owner records show the yacht is registered to a company linked to his wife. The vessel is estimated to be worth more than 500 million dollars and includes luxury features such as a swimming pool a helipad and even a submarine.
At the same time relations between Russia and Iran appear to be growing stronger. Vladimir Putin recently met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg where both sides praised their partnership.
Putin described the Iranian people as courageous while Araghchi welcomed Russia’s support and said their cooperation continues to deepen.
Mordashov who leads the steel company Severstal and is ranked among the richest Russians by Forbes has been targeted by sanctions from the United States the United Kingdom and the European Union.
It is still not known whether he was on board the yacht during its journey.
As global tensions continue and shipping remains disrupted the passage of the Nord leaves a key question unanswered how a sanctioned linked vessel was able to move freely through one of the most controlled waterways in the world.
Source: BBC
