Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Eclipse

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is embroiled in serious accusations of evading millions in taxes across Germany and other European Union nations. These claims arise from leaked documents reviewed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), with analysis from prominent media outlets including 'Spiegel', ZDF, 'The Guardian', and the BBC. Central to these allegations is Abramovich's luxury yacht, the 'Eclipse', which is believed to be part of a sophisticated tax avoidance strategy. Reports suggest that the 'Eclipse' was managed through a series of shell companies designed to obfuscate its true ownership and evade tax responsibilities. Advisors to Abramovich created a convoluted network of businesses that purportedly simulated commercial activity involving his fleet of yachts. Evidence indicates that this deceptive framework was in place until at least 2012. Notably, the yacht was allegedly leased to a company in the British Virgin Islands to evade VAT requirements, despite Abramovich using the 'Eclipse' for personal events, such as a lavish New Year's party in the Caribbean in 2012. Documents reveal that there were also strategies involved in fuel purchases, as commercial vessels benefit from exemption from fuel taxes within the EU. Emails suggest that staff were attempting to gather the necessary documentation to secure these tax breaks, highlighting one instance where a delayed rental agreement threatened to forfeit tax savings of $44,000 on refueling costs. The construction of the 'Eclipse' in Hamburg presented another significant tax advantage; since the ship was built in a free port, it was not classified as German territory for tax purposes, potentially allowing for a VAT exemption on estimated costs ranging from 300 to 800 million euros. For years, Abramovich and his team successfully thwarted formal investigations. In 2014, tax enquiries arose in Italy after the yacht refueled in Trieste, but the probe was later dropped. Meanwhile, in Cyprus, authorities sought around 14 million euros in taxes related to yacht charters in 2012, with subsequent appeals reportedly withdrawn by Abramovich's legal team, leaving the status of the payment unclear. Following sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs, Abramovich has steered clear of EU territories to safeguard his assets. Currently, the 'Eclipse' is stationed off the coast of Turkey, safely beyond the reach of European law enforcement. In Germany, the window for prosecuting these alleged tax violations may be closing, as the usual statute of limitations is five years, extendable to 15 years for egregious cases.

The luxurious yachts 'Eclipse' and 'My Solaris', owned by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, have been stationary off the picturesque coast of Muğla for an entire year. Nestled in the beautiful waters of the Bodrum district and Göcek, these vessels have found refuge in Turkey amid sanctions imposed by European nations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 'My Solaris' made its way to Bodrum on March 21, 2022, where it first docked in Marmaris before finding its current spot in Göcek after nearly nine months of waiting. In contrast, the 'Eclipse' followed suit sometime later, relocating from Marmaris to anchor off the coast of İçmeler. The duration of its stay in Bodrum remains uncertain. Valued at an astonishing $1.2 billion, the 'Eclipse' is a symbol of opulence within the yachting community. Interestingly, on the same day the 'My Solaris' arrived, a group of Ukrainian sailing athletes, stranded in Bodrum due to the ongoing conflict, took to the waters. They protested off the Kumbahçe coast, brandishing Ukrainian flags and vocally expressing their disdain for the war with chants of "No to war." For further details and images, visit the report: https://expatguideturkey.com/russian-billionaire-roman-abramovics-yachts-have-been-off-the-coast-of-mugla-for-1-year/

The luxury megayachts 'Eclipse' and 'My Solaris', both under the ownership of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, are at the center of an escalating international legal dispute. Following the imposition of EU sanctions on Abramovich in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, scrutiny has intensified regarding the oligarch's assets. Recently, the 'Eclipse' was reportedly anchored in the picturesque waters off Marmaris, a district in Turkey's southwestern Muğla province, while 'My Solaris' was docked at the renowned Cruise Port in Bodrum, a prominent tourism destination. Legal representatives in the UK have raised alarms about the legality of Abramovich's presence in these areas, specifically highlighting that Cruise Port operates under Global Ports Holding, a publicly traded company in London. They assert that allowing Abramovich's vessels to dock would constitute a breach of the existing sanctions. In light of these serious allegations, both yachts have since departed from their respective ports. Currently, the 'Eclipse' is positioned in Göcek Bay, just offshore, with hopes of securing a berth at a facility managed by STFA, a Turkish conglomerate. Conversely, 'My Solaris' is now stationed near Yalıkavak Marina, with the clock ticking for Abramovich as he faces a three-month deadline to make decisions regarding the $500 million yacht before the autumn season necessitates its departure from the area.