Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse Holds Its Own as World’s Most Expensive Superyacht

Contrary to what a Google query or even reputed trade publications will have you believe, History Supreme is not the world’s most expensive superyacht. The History Supreme is the world’s biggest hoax, as we discussed in a previous article.

Even a decade after it was delivered, the Eclipse remains the priciest superyacht ever built, with a worth estimated at anything between $600 million and $1.5 billion. It is no longer the world’s biggest privately owned superyacht, though, having held to that title for a couple of years after delivery.

Because it’s privately owned and occasionally made available for charter at eye-watering prices, much of what is known about the Eclipse is the stuff of urban legends and hearsay. Whenever a vessel this massive is commissioned and built, it’s bound to cause waves (sorry not sorry for that pun) in the media, generating rumors and even fake news.

Let’s try to sift through those and get to the specifics that make Eclipse a one-of-a-kind wonder of maritime design.

It took more than 5 years to complete design, development and construction on the Eclipse. The naval architecture was done at the Blohm+Voss yard in Hamburg, while Terence Disdale Design did the superstructure design, interior design, deck layouts and supervised the construction. At the end of sea trials, the Eclipse was delivered to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, whose net worth is estimated at upwards of $11.5 billion.

With this kind of money, he could very well afford the reported $1.5 billion price tag that came with the Eclipse, as long as he made sure his every wish was respected. And so it happened: Eclipse is a massive 9-decker packed with technology, toys and the kind of luxury amenities us mortals can only dream of. A decade after launch, Eclipse is still the most tech-advanced superyacht in the world, and that is no small feat.

Abramovich’s primary concern, right after ensuring a luxurious environment in which his guests would want for nothing, was privacy. As such, the Eclipse features the latest in safety features: motion sensors, bulletproof glass all around the private owner’s deck (yes, the master suite has its own deck) and some guest cabins, armor plating, anti-ballistic missile defense, and specialized security systems for each cabin.

Reports have it that it even comes with an anti-paparazzi laser that detects the use of digital cameras pointed at the yacht, effectively foiling any attempt at taking a photograph. They have never been confirmed (and probably never will).

The Eclipse can accommodate 30 guests and a 93 crew, across 11 staterooms and suites, and staff cabins. Each room for guests comes with its own massive TV and jacuzzi, and furnishes made specifically for this vessel.

Amenities include an atrium, fully-equipped gym and spa, a 52-foot pool whose bottom can be elevated to turn it into a dance floor, a smaller, less versatile pool, expansive sun decks and a beach club, a cinema, a smaller disco club, a hair salon and a restaurant, internal lifts and an external fireplace. It has room for a 3-person submarine that can go down to 160 feet, and no less than two helicopters – two on the helipads and one in a hangar.

Eclipse comes with three launch boats, six tenders and plenty of space to house a wide array of toys. For all the luxury amenities it provides, guests will want to have some fun on the water, as well.

At 534 feet in length and a gross tonnage of 13,000, Eclipse is gargantuan. With all that (or maybe despite that), it offers impressive performance. Powered by a diesel-electric, hybrid propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines, it can reach maximum speeds of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 22 knots. Thanks to its 100,000-gallon fuel tank, it has a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 21 knots.

With its displacement steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, Eclipse offers a smooth sailing experience. An ultra-modern stabilization system minimizes roll motion effect and offers at-anchor stabilizers for those times when the boat is stationary or moving at slow speed.

Based on these numbers, it is believed that maintenance alone on this boat costs around $60 million a year, including the 70-strong crew required for maintenance work. Needless to say (but we’re going to say it anyway), the Eclipse is a custom superyacht like no other. Because there are only a handful of owners who could or would invest this kind of money into a boat.