SAILING YACHT A
ID#
172.2
Build/code name(s):
Hull N° 787 / Project WHITE PEARL /
SAILING YACHT A
ID#
172.2
Build/code name(s):
Hull N° 787 / Project WHITE PEARL /
SEIZED/DETAINED
SEIZED/DETAINED
Length
142.81
m
/
468.5
ft
Beam
24.88
m
/
81.7
ft
Volume
12,558
GT
Guests sleeping
20
Cabins
10
Crew members
54
Main Specs
Length
142.81
m
/
468.5
ft
Beam
24.88
m
/
81.7
ft
Volume
12,558
GT
Guests sleeping
20
Cabins
10
Crew members
54
Estimated Build Cost
$500,000,000
Comment from the admin
“The world’s largest sail-assisted motor yacht”
Comment from the admin
“The world’s largest sail-assisted motor yacht”
Build
Shipyard
Nobiskrug
Year
2017
Hull Type
Mono-Hull
Full displacement
Hull Material
Steel
Superstructure Material
Steel
Carbon fiber
GRP
Categories
Build Type
1-of-1 Custom build
Vessel Type
Sailing yacht
Yacht
Mega yacht
Categories
Build Type
1-of-1 Custom build
Vessel Type
Sailing yacht
Yacht
Mega yacht
Design
Exterior
Philippe Starck
Main Color
Grey
Silver
Interior
Philippe Starck
Amenities
Indoor cinema room
Elevator
Swim platform
Tender garage
Nemo Lounge
Observation Lounge
Spa
Sauna/Steam room/Hammam
Massage room
Gym
Swimming pool
Jacuzzi
Helipad
Submarine
Build
Shipyard
Nobiskrug
Year
2017
Hull Type
Mono-Hull
Full displacement
Hull Material
Steel
Superstructure Material
Steel
Carbon fiber
GRP
Design
Exterior
Philippe Starck
Main Color
Grey
Silver
Interior
Philippe Starck
Categories
Build Type
1-of-1 Custom build
Vessel Type
Sailing yacht
Yacht
Mega yacht
Amenities
Indoor cinema room
Elevator
Swim platform
Tender garage
Nemo Lounge
Observation Lounge
Spa
Sauna/Steam room/Hammam
Massage room
Gym
Swimming pool
Jacuzzi
Helipad
Submarine
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
Interior Design
Sorry, no images as of now.
Interior Design
Sorry, no images as of now.
Interior Design
Sorry, no images as of now.
Performance
Cruising Speed
16
kn
Max Speed
21
kn
Range
5,300
nm
/
850K
L
(fuel tanks)
Propulsion
Type
Motor yacht
Sailing yacht
Hybrid
Diesel-electric
Wind-assist
Horse Power
21,200
HP
Engines info
Performance
Cruising Speed
16
kn
Max Speed
21
kn
Range
5,300
nm
/
850K
L
(fuel tanks)
Propulsion
Type
Motor yacht
Sailing yacht
Hybrid
Diesel-electric
Wind-assist
Horse Power
21,200
HP
Engines info
Rumored Owner
Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko
Nationality
Russian 🇷🇺
Estimated Net Worth
$21B
See ownership history
Rumored Owner
Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko
Nationality
Russian 🇷🇺
Estimated Net Worth
$21B
See ownership history
Fun Facts
👤 THE OWNER:
Born in 1972 in Gomel, Belarus, Andrey Melnichenko attended a prestigious Moscow boarding school for physics and math prodigies before switching from physics to finance at Plekhanov University (graduating 1997).
He co-founded MDM Bank at age 21 in 1993, then co-founded MDM Group in 2000, acquiring Russian fertilizer and coal assets that others considered too fragmented and neglected to bother with. By 2023, his net worth reached $25.2 billion, making him the richest person in Russia for the first time.
🎨 8 ELITE DESIGNERS COMPETED FOR THE COMMISSION:
In 2008, Melnichenko invited eight of the world's leading yacht designers to pitch concepts for an unprecedented sail-assisted private yacht. Philippe Starck, who had already designed Motor Yacht “A”, won the commission.
Starck would later described the owner as "a young and brilliant mathematician" who gave him near-total creative freedom.
The designer, who famously works alone with pencil on A4 paper - never using design software - spent nearly six years refining every detail "millimetre by millimetre".
💥 THE SEIZURE:
On 24 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Melnichenko was among 37 businessmen who attended a meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss the impact of Western sanctions. This meeting was later cited by the EU as key evidence that he belonged to "the most influential circle of Russian businesspeople with close connections to the Russian government".
On 9 March 2022, the EU added Melnichenko to its sanctions list. In a preemptive move the day before, he had transferred beneficial ownership to his wife.
On 12 March 2022, Italy's Guardia di Finanza boarded and seized Sailing Yacht A in the port of Trieste, where it had been undergoing scheduled maintenance. The Italian government valued it at €530 million (~$578 million). Melnichenko's spokesman Alex Andreev protested: "He has no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. There is no justification whatsoever for placing him on the EU sanctions list”.
As of March 2026, Sailing Yacht “A” remains seized in Trieste, approaching its fourth anniversary under Italian government custody. It has cost Italian taxpayers an estimated €24-28 million in maintenance, at roughly €20,000-30,000 per day.
In October 2023, Melnichenko offered to pay maintenance costs himself, but as a sanctioned individual, he cannot easily transfer funds. Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza declared in April 2023: "This is called a waste of public money, shame."
👤 THE OWNER:
Born in 1972 in Gomel, Belarus, Andrey Melnichenko attended a prestigious Moscow boarding school for physics and math prodigies before switching from physics to finance at Plekhanov University (graduating 1997).
He co-founded MDM Bank at age 21 in 1993, then co-founded MDM Group in 2000, acquiring Russian fertilizer and coal assets that others considered too fragmented and neglected to bother with. By 2023, his net worth reached $25.2 billion, making him the richest person in Russia for the first time.
💥 THE SEIZURE:
On 24 February 2022, the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Melnichenko was among 37 businessmen who attended a meeting with Vladimir Putin to discuss the impact of Western sanctions. This meeting was later cited by the EU as key evidence that he belonged to "the most influential circle of Russian businesspeople with close connections to the Russian government".
On 9 March 2022, the EU added Melnichenko to its sanctions list. In a preemptive move the day before, he had transferred beneficial ownership to his wife.
On 12 March 2022, Italy's Guardia di Finanza boarded and seized Sailing Yacht A in the port of Trieste, where it had been undergoing scheduled maintenance. The Italian government valued it at €530 million (~$578 million). Melnichenko's spokesman Alex Andreev protested: "He has no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. There is no justification whatsoever for placing him on the EU sanctions list”.
As of March 2026, Sailing Yacht “A” remains seized in Trieste, approaching its fourth anniversary under Italian government custody. It has cost Italian taxpayers an estimated €24-28 million in maintenance, at roughly €20,000-30,000 per day.
In October 2023, Melnichenko offered to pay maintenance costs himself, but as a sanctioned individual, he cannot easily transfer funds. Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza declared in April 2023: "This is called a waste of public money, shame."
🎨 8 ELITE DESIGNERS COMPETED FOR THE COMMISSION:
In 2008, Melnichenko invited eight of the world's leading yacht designers to pitch concepts for an unprecedented sail-assisted private yacht. Philippe Starck, who had already designed Motor Yacht “A”, won the commission.
Starck would later described the owner as "a young and brilliant mathematician" who gave him near-total creative freedom.
The designer, who famously works alone with pencil on A4 paper - never using design software - spent nearly six years refining every detail "millimetre by millimetre".
All media not captured by this website remain the sole property of their respective owners, as credited. No licenses, copyrights, or other usage rights are granted to users of this site. All rights are reserved by the original creators.
Majority of the pictures displayed on this website are AI-generated illustrations used for visual representation purposes only. Not real pictures, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The appearance of the actual yacht may differ from those shown in the illustrations.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal listing for sale or charter. I am not the manager, owner, nor representative of this vessel. While the data provided is gathered from publicly available sources, I cannot guarantee that all information is accurate, complete, or up to date at all times.
All media not captured by this website remain the sole property of their respective owners, as credited. No licenses, copyrights, or other usage rights are granted to users of this site. All rights are reserved by the original creators.
Majority of the pictures displayed on this website are AI-generated illustrations used for visual representation purposes only. Not real pictures, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The appearance of the actual yacht may differ from those shown in the illustrations.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a formal listing for sale or charter. I am not the manager, owner, nor representative of this vessel. While the data provided is gathered from publicly available sources, I cannot guarantee that all information is accurate, complete, or up to date at all times.
The Yacht Info
Copyright © 2026 The Yacht Info
All rights reserved
The Yacht Info
Copyright © 2026 The Yacht Info
All rights reserved