14 Super Yachts Owned by Russians Seized in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has seized 14 super yachts owned by Russians, frozen assets worth €516 million, and blocked transactions amounting to €155 million as part of sanctions against Russia. This was announced by Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra, as reported by CNN.

Hoekstra clarified that currently, 12 yachts are under construction in five Dutch shipyards for Russian beneficiaries. While some owners are not on the list of European sanctions, he stated that 'due to current export measures, those yachts cannot be delivered at this time,' adding that 'the ownership structure of those yachts is under further discussion.'

In addition to the 12 yachts, two others being serviced in Dutch shipyards are subject to stricter customs controls, with one of them currently being investigated in connection to an individual on the European sanctions list.

Since the imposition of the first sanctions, nearly 30,000 containers have been halted and investigated at the Port of Rotterdam 'to determine whether they are subject to sanctions or not,' he added. Approximately 5,500 containers have been seized on suspicion of storing luxury goods valued at €300 per unit.