- Roman Abramovich’s 164-metre superyacht Eclipse has been docked in Turkey since 2022.
- Hefty fuel burn and steep mooring fees underscore its massive costs.
- Lavish interiors and advanced security systems cement its status as a controversial but impressive maritime feat.
Since March 2022, the South Aegean coast of Turkey has been home to a particularly controversial visitor: Eclipse, the 164-metre superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Eclipse, The World’s Once-Largest Yacht
Built in 2009 for a punchy €350 million (c. A$590 million), this former “world’s largest” private yacht isn’t just turning heads, it’s also racking up mind-boggling costs.
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Despite being docked in Marmaris Marina, Eclipse relies on its own generators 24/7 to keep the air conditioning running, shielding its opulent interiors from mould-rearing sea mist.
A good lick of energy also goes into keeping its anti-paparazzi laser going…
That constant power drain doesn’t come cheap… or particularly sustainable. Burning roughly one tonne of fuel per day, Eclipse’s environmental footprint is immense, especially at a time when global conversations focus on cutting carbon emissions.
Yet the yacht’s daily running costs go beyond fuel: mooring fees reportedly top 100,000 TL (around A$5,000) a day.
Inside, Eclipse boasts 18 guest suites decked out in black wood with silver rubbed into the open grain, limed wenge, and buffalo hide.
Artworks, high-spec finishes, and the need for unceasing climate control ensure this floating palace remains in pristine condition, no matter the eye-watering cost.
Sanctions and Safe Havens
Eclipse’s extended stay in Turkey is no holiday. Abramovich, hit by extensive Western sanctions in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, needed a spot where his yacht wouldn’t face government seizure.
Turkey’s decision not to enforce sanctions made Marmaris a convenient sanctuary, prompting criticism over how global financial restrictions can be easily sidestepped by those with deep enough pockets.
Meanwhile, Abramovich’s second superyacht, Solaris, sits in Bodrum, further underscoring Turkey’s role as a safe harbour for sanctioned oligarchs.
But there’s no denying Eclipse’s jaw-dropping engineering. From two helicopter landing pads to an onboard submarine and multiple pools, it can accommodate up to 36 guests and employs a 70-strong crew.
This floating fortress also comes equipped with everything from missile defence systems to state-of-the-art stabilisers.
Whether you consider it to be a characteristically audacious display of wealth, a glaring environmental disaster, or both, Eclipse remains one of the most talked-about superyachts in modern maritime history.
