London: Despite rising US-Iran tensions and strict naval restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov has drawn attention after successfully passing through the sensitive waterway.
According to a British news agency, shipping platform MarineTraffic reported that the 142-meter yacht Nord, worth over $500 million, departed from a marina in Dubai, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday morning, and arrived in Muscat on Sunday.
It remains unclear how the multi-level luxury yacht was allowed to use this route, as Iran has imposed strict movement restrictions in the Strait since February.
This waterway is globally significant, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it.
Although Mordashov is not officially registered as the owner of Nord, Russian corporate records and shipping data from 2025 suggest the yacht was registered in 2022 under a Russian company owned by his wife.
Mordashov is among the Russian figures sanctioned by the US and the European Union after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, mainly due to his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His representatives declined to comment on the matter.
The yacht Nord is considered one of the world’s largest luxury yachts, featuring 20 staterooms, a swimming pool, a helipad, and even a submarine.
