Spanish officials have confirmed the temporary arrest of three superyachts in ports around the country under economic sanctions issued by the European Union against Russia.
A statement by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) in Spain verified that the 135.5 metre Crescent, 85.1 metre Valerie and the 47.55 metre Lady Anastasia had all been placed under "provisional retention" in the past week.
"The objective is to verify whether or not it is property, possession or control of a natural or legal person included in the package of sanctioning measures established by the European Union," the statement read.
The largest of the three yachts is the Lürssen-built Crescent, which was placed under a provisional detention order on March 16 after requesting to depart from Port Tarraco in Tarragona. The request was denied while officials await confirmation of the ownership of the vessel. "If it is verified that it belongs to a person or entity sanctioned by the European Council, it will be immobilised in compliance with the economic sanctions laid out by the European Union," said MITMA.
Crescent was delivered to its owner in 2018 and currently ranks as the 19th largest superyacht in the world.
Meanwhile, the 85 metre Valerie, also built by German shipyard Lürssen, was the first of the three yachts to be placed under temporary arrest by the Spanish government on March 15 while undergoing maintenance work in the Port of Barcelona. This was shortly followed by the 47.55 metre Sensation motor yacht Lady Anastasia, which was moored in Port Adriano when officials boarded the vessel.
The arrests made by the Spanish government this week bring the total number of yachts under confiscation orders in Europe to six, following the seizure of Amore Vero in France and Lady M and Lena in Italy earlier this month. Speaking on the recent arrests, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, stated on national television that "there will be more."