Italy may face another multimillion-euro bill to maintain Sailing Yacht A, a 468-foot superyacht seized in Trieste in March 2022 and linked to Andrey Melnichenko. A mandatory class renewal survey possibly due before January 2027 could cost six figures, while repairs and preservation work are estimated at €2M–€10M ($2.78M–$11.39M). The yacht already costs roughly €24,600 per day (~€9M/year) to keep, and if the owner reclaims it, taxpayers may not recover money already spent.
Italy Faces New Millions To Maintain Seized $600M Superyacht as Inspection Looms
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Italian taxpayers may face another costly bill to maintain Sailing Yacht A, a 468-foot superyacht impounded in Trieste since March 2022 and linked to Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. The vessel is approaching a mandatory class renewal survey that could trigger significant repair and preservation spending by Italian authorities.
Inspection Deadline and Potential Costs
According to Luxury Launches, the yacht may require a class renewal survey before January 2027 — a compulsory inspection that verifies whether a vessel continues to meet technical, safety and regulatory standards. The survey alone could cost six figures in euros; however, the greater expense is likely to be any repair or preservation work needed to obtain certification.
Published estimates place total costs between €2 million and €10 million (roughly $2.78M–$11.39M), depending on whether inspectors find issues with the hull, propulsion, electrical systems, safety equipment or the yacht’s unusually complex sailing rig and carbon-fiber spars.
Who Pays and Where Work Might Be Done
Italian newspaper Il Piccolo reports that shipyards in Trieste and Genoa may bid for the work and that the Italian Treasury is expected to cover upfront expenses. Officials warn that if the vessel is moved from Trieste for repairs it may not return to the same berth.
Ongoing Maintenance Burden
Italian media estimate the yacht’s upkeep at about €24,600 per day (around $28,000), or roughly €9 million ($10.25 million) per year. Even when idle, a ship this size requires electricity, crew oversight, anti-corrosion measures, routine inspections and ongoing technical care. Without such attention the vessel could present safety hazards and environmental risks, especially in a saltwater berth.
Legal Uncertainty
Melnichenko is reportedly contesting the seizure in court. If he ultimately regains ownership, Italy would likely have little realistic prospect of recovering the public funds already spent on preservation, certification and repairs.
What Inspectors Will Check
If the class-renewal survey proceeds, inspectors would typically examine the hull and underwater sections, tanks, propellers, steering gear, generators and electrical panels, firefighting and lifesaving equipment, and navigation systems. Sailing Yacht A’s three massive carbon-fiber spars and automated sail-management systems could make the inspection and any subsequent repairs far more specialized — and more expensive — than a standard yacht survey.
For now, Italian authorities say their priority is preventing further deterioration by continuing routine maintenance, preserving crucial systems and preparing for the next certification steps. It remains uncertain whether additional costs can be contained while the legal dispute continues.
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