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Auctioned superyacht Axioma bound for Turkey

2 February 2023 • Written by Katia Damborsky

The 72.5-metre superyacht Axioma has left her berth in Gibraltar and is currently en route to Turkey under new ownership, according to her AIS (automatic identification systems).  This is the first voyage the yacht has undertaken since her arrest in March of last year and subsequent auction in September when she fetched $37,500,055 and 63 bids.

Her AIS records her destination as Gemlik, a commercial port just south of Istanbul. It has been speculated that she could be headed for her home shipyard of Dunya Yachts which is located around 100 kilometres from Gemlik. Prior to the yacht's arrest, the shipyard announced that it was constructing a 48-metre support vessel for Axioma. 

Pictures on social media indicate that Axioma is making at least part of the 2,117 nautical mile journey by tow.

Axioma was sold at auction by the Admiralty Court of Gibraltar on August 23 under an “as is, where is” private auction with Howe Robinson handling the sale. 

The sale was finalised on September 27 after being subjected to an enhanced due diligence process. The Court confirmed that "funds will remain in Court for a period of 60 days from the date the sale is advertised in Lloyd’s List".

"Any person with a claim against the vessel, or the proceeds of sale thereof, needs to submit a claim before the expiration of the said period," said a spokesperson for the Court.

The auction comes after the superyacht was arrested at the end of March as a result of sanctions against Russia.

She marked the first Russian-owned superyacht to be listed for sale since the sanctions were introduced in 2022. It is understood that she was auctioned following a loan violation, which arose after the yacht’s former owner was added to the European Union's list of sanctioned individuals.

Days before the auction, a license granted by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control authorised US-based buyers to participate in the sale.

One of Axioma 's key features is a large aft deck pool
Credit: Quin Bisset

Axioma was built in 2013 by Dunya Yachts and delivered under the name Red Square. She has proven herself to be a highly popular and versatile charter platform over the years, with a consistently booked-up calendar.

She offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in six cabins with a complement for a crew of 20. She has been meticulously maintained over the years, most recently with a full-scale refit in 2020 which gave her a bright new hull colour.

The yacht has been meticulously maintained over the years

Onboard highlights include a 3D cinema room and a generous aft deck swimming pool that overlooks the swim platform. There is a second jacuzzi on the upper deck aft, alongside a good variety of shaded and non-shaded al fresco areas across her decks.

The yacht’s interiors have been crafted by legendary designer Alberto Pinto, who has given her a chic, monochromatic look that complements her volume and natural light. She features a double-height main saloon with a mezzanine area and a private owner’s deck with a skylight.

Credit: Jeff Brown

She is powered by twin Caterpillar engines which give her a top speed of 18 knots and is ABS-classed. 

The yacht was listed without a reserve price and the final auction price was never disclosed. The identity of the buyer was also withheld.  

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