Roman Abramovich’s new £430million superyacht Solaris nears completion in German shipyard 

Roman Abramovich’s new £430 million superyacht has been spotted for the first time as it nears completion at a German shipyard.

The 460ft Solaris, equipped with a helipad and swimming pool, will soon undertake sea trials before the 54-year-old Chelsea owner sets sail in the summer.

The Russian billionaire’s eight-deck yacht has been fitted with 48 cabins and is able to sleep 36 guests, as well as 60 crew.

Two high-tech electrical engines called Azipods will drive the colossal boat. The super-efficient propellers can turn through 360 degrees, providing incredible manoeuvrability, and render a rudder unnecessary.

Roman Abramovich’s new £430 million superyacht is pictured for the first time as it nears completion at a German shipyard

The colossal boat was pictured surrounded by scaffolding and cranes at the end of December as she neared completion at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, north of Bremen

The colossal boat was pictured surrounded by scaffolding and cranes at the end of December as she neared completion at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, north of Bremen

The 460ft Solaris, equipped with a helipad and swimming pool, will soon undertake sea trials before the 54-year-old Chelsea owner sets sail in the summer

The 460ft Solaris, equipped with a helipad and swimming pool, will soon undertake sea trials before the 54-year-old Chelsea owner sets sail in the summer

Two high-tech electrical engines called Azipods will drive the colossal boat. The super-efficient propeller pods can turns through 360 degrees, providing incredible manoeuvrability, and render a rudder unnecessary.

Two high-tech electrical engines called Azipods will drive the colossal boat. The super-efficient propeller pods can turns through 360 degrees, providing incredible manoeuvrability, and render a rudder unnecessary.

The yacht is covered in tarpaulin and materials as shop builders finish works on the massive boat at the end of December. She is expected to set sail in the summer

The yacht is covered in tarpaulin and materials as shop builders finish works on the massive boat at the end of December. She is expected to set sail in the summer

Abramovich at a theatre premier in Moscow in May, 2018

Abramovich at a theatre premier in Moscow in May, 2018

The colossal boat was pictured surrounded by scaffolding and cranes at the end of December as she neared completion at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, north of Bremen.

A source told The Sun: ‘This will be the yacht of the year when she is launched later this year.’

Solaris will have a top speed of 18 knots (20mph) and feature an outdoor beach club area, with a jacuzzi and spa to accompany the swimming pool.

Mr Abramovich is already the owner of a £540 million superyacht, Eclipse, which he uses for cruises around the French Riviera where he owns a villa in Antibes.

The 533ft yacht, at time of launch the largest privately owned superyacht in the world, is more than 70ft longer than Mr Abramovich’s new yacht. 

The source added: ‘Details are being kept top secret but she will be a magnificent addition for the owner.

‘To give you an idea of the size of Solaris the yacht shed she is being built in is bigger and taller than Buckingham Palace so you have some idea of the dimensions.’ 

But the billionaire won’t be sailing to Britain anytime soon after his visa expired two years ago.

Mr Abramovich, who owns a £200 million property empire in London, became an Israeli citizen in 2018 after he announced that he had withdrawn his UK visa application. 

It came amid heightened tensions between London and Moscow over the Salisbury Novichok attack. 

Solaris 

Value: £430 million

Length: 460ft

Tonnage: 11,000

Top speed: 18 knots (20mph)

Cabins: 48

Decks: 8

Passengers: 36

Crew: 60

Engines: Two Azipod electrical propellers

Extras: Helipad, swimming pool, beach club area, jacuzzi and spa 

 

Eclipse

Value: £540 million

Length: 533ft

Tonnage: 13,000

Top speed: 22 knots (25mph)

Cabins: At least 24 guest cabins, but dozens more for the crew

Decks: 9 

Passengers: 62

Crew: 70 

Engines: Four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines

Extras: Two helipads, a submarine and three landing craft, two swimming pools and a dance floor

  

Abramovich's Eclipse yacht off the coast of Portofino, Italy, in September 2013. The yacht is valued at £540 million

Abramovich’s Eclipse yacht off the coast of Portofino, Italy, in September 2013. The yacht is valued at £540 million

Mr Abramovich - whose net worth is around £10bn - already owns a colossal superyacht, Eclipse, which was the largest in the world when it was launched

Mr Abramovich – whose net worth is around £10bn – already owns a colossal superyacht, Eclipse, which was the largest in the world when it was launched 

In January, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for the freezing of Mr Abramovich’s assets over his poisoning and detention.

A representative of the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner accused the Chelsea owner of being associated with the Kremlin.

Mr Abramovich’s representatives poured scorn on the claims.

He is worth a reported £10 billion and has overseen years of lavish spending at Chelsea Football Club since taking over in 2003.

Under his ownership, the London club have won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and become one of world football’s most valuable clubs.

The Russian owns a 15-bedroom mansion in Kensington Palace Gardens on what is known as ‘billionaire’s row.’

He paid £90 million for the home which is now believed to be worth £125 million.

Mr Abramovich made his fortune by selling assets purchased from the state after the fall of the Soviet Union. 

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