The 81.3-metre Oceanco Alfa Nero has finally returned to the charter market. This comes after the yacht was sold in July 2024, ending the legal wranglings and issues surrounding her following the arrest in 2022.
Alfa Nero will be officially relaunched on the market during the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in December 2024. For the winter season, she will cruise the Caribbean and the Bahamas and be available in the Mediterranean for the summer 2025 season.
Speaking on her return to the market, Alfa Nero’s central agent, Nicole Terry of Northrop and Johnson, said: “It’s somewhat poetic that Alfa Nero will be relaunched to the global charter market here [in Antigua] as it had become such a part of the island’s skyline. As a broker attending the show over the last couple of years, we all walked past Alfa Nero’s iconic aft pool and that sign. Every broker was “peaking over the fence”, curious about this icon and what had become of her.”
Indeed, the yacht has been sitting in English Harbour for two years. The 81.3-metre was then declared "abandoned" by the government of Antigua and Barbuda. During this time in June 2023, Alfa Nero was sold at auction to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt for $67,000,677 but the sale was not finalised due to legal complications.
Today, however, we see an imminent return to her former glory on the charter market following her sale, which saw the clearing of outstanding debts owed to creditors and the crew since the yacht’s arrival.
The yacht is now in the midst of a refit to return her to her former glory; ready to welcome brokers on board during her official presence at the Antigua Charter Show.
“There will be a quick haul out for an inspection, a new lick of anti-foul and a change of the anodes,” said Terry. “They’re renewing all the machinery, cleaning out all the air-conditioning ducting, professionally cleaning carpets and upholstery, sanding and recaulking the decks, marble polishing, wood polishing, and the laundry and galley machines are being serviced as well as the guest and crew elevators. Of course, full flag and class inspections and surveys are taking place. The yacht is an absolute hive of activity right now.”
Following the charter show, Alfa Nero will be officially available for charter in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, before returning to the Mediterranean for the summer in 2025. Northrop and Johnson also added that Alfa Nero is now taking bookings.
Having taken the industry by storm since her delivery in 2007, Alfa Nero is a welcome return. The yacht for charter famously has a sizeable swimming pool with a built-in current and an "infinity" on the aft end where the water overflows across a large sloping sheet of glass to create a waterfall effect. Her ground-breaking exteriors were penned by Nuvolari Lenard and her interiors are by Alberto Pinto.
Inside, Alfa Nero’s styling is inspired by both pop art and Art Deco, with vibrant colour schemes, zig-zag woodwork and bold striped flooring creating a dynamic and visually arresting atmosphere.
Now available for charter with Northrop and Johnson, Alfa Nero has a weekly rate starting at $812,500.