Roman Abramovich’s new £430million superyacht hit the water for the first time today after being launched at a German shipyard.
The 460ft Solaris was moved into the water from the drydock at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, north of Bremen, where engineers had pieced together the colossal vessel.
The superyacht, equipped with a helipad and swimming pool, is set to undertake sea trials before the 54-year-old Chelsea owner sets sail in the summer.
The Russian billionaire’s eight-deck yacht has been fitted with 48 cabins and is able to sleep 36 guests, as well as 60 crew.
Two high-tech electrical engines called Azipods will drive the colossal boat. The super-efficient propellers can turn through 360 degrees, providing incredible manoeuvrability, and render a rudder unnecessary.
Despite its incredible size, Abramovich’s new vessel is actually smaller than the superyacht he already owns – the 533ft Eclipse.
As well as Solaris and Eclipse, the Russian is reported to have previously owned at least five other superyachts, including the 162ft Sussurro, the 282ft Ecstasea, the Luna and the Pelorus, both 377ft, and the 371ft Grand Bleu.
Roman Abramovich’s new £430million superyacht hit the water for the first time after being launched at a German shipyard (pictured)
The 460ft Solaris, equipped with a helipad and swimming pool, is set to undertake sea trials before the 54-year-old Chelsea owner sets sail in the summer
The Russian billionaire’s eight-deck yacht (pictured) has been fitted with 48 cabins and is able to sleep 36 guests, as well as 60 crew
Roman Abramovich’s new £430 million superyacht pictured earlier this week for the first time as it neared completion at a German shipyard
Two high-tech electrical engines called Azipods will drive the colossal boat. The super-efficient propellers can turn through 360 degrees, providing incredible manoeuvrability, and render a rudder unnecessary
The Solaris will be Abramovich’s second superyacht and not as large as the Eclipse, a 533ft vessel. He has previously owned at least five other colossal yachts, the 162ft Sussurro the most recent to change hands in around 2017.
As well as Solaris and Eclipse, the Chelsea owner (pictured) is reported to have previously owned at least five other superyachts, including the 162ft Sussurro, the 282ft Ecstasea, the Luna and the Pelorus, both 377ft, and the 371ft Grand Bleu
Solaris was pictured surrounded by scaffolding and cranes at the end of December as she neared completion at the Lloyd Werft shipyard.
A source told The Sun: ‘This will be the yacht of the year when she is launched.’
Solaris will have a top speed of 18 knots (20mph) and feature an outdoor beach club area, with a jacuzzi and spa to accompany the swimming pool.
Mr Abramovich is already the owner of a £540 million superyacht, Eclipse, which he uses for cruises around the French Riviera where he owns a villa in Antibes.
The 533ft yacht, at time of launch the largest privately owned superyacht in the world, is more than 70ft longer than Mr Abramovich’s new yacht.
The Eclipse is reportedly equipped with an anti-missile system, bullet-proof glass and armour-plating around Mr Abramovich’ quarters. It’s not clear how the new smaller ship will differ.
The source added: ‘Details are being kept top secret but she will be a magnificent addition for the owner.
‘To give you an idea of the size of Solaris the yacht shed she is being built in is bigger and taller than Buckingham Palace so you have some idea of the dimensions.’
The billionaire has owned a series of other luxurious yachts before Solaris and Eclipse. Three of them – including the £110million Le Grand Bleu, the £274million Pelorus and the £276million Luna – measured more than 370ft.
The Luna and Le Grand Bleu are both ‘expedition’ class yachts, meaning they have very strong hulls which are capable of navigating through high seas while providing comfort to passengers in the most inhospitable climates, such as at the North and South Poles.
Like Eclipse, Luna is also fitted with missile detection apparatus, as well as bullet-proof glass windows.
Others vessels owned by Mr Abramovich have included the 282ft, £110million Ecstasea with a top speed of 25 knots and the smaller 162ft, £16million Sussurro.
Some of the vessels have been loaned out to top Chelsea footballers over the years, including John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
Terry and Lampard were given use of the Pelorus as a ‘bonus’ following their victorious league campaign in 2005, while Terry and his wife Toni set sail in the yacht two years later for their honeymoon.
When he gets his new yacht, the Russian won’t be sailing to Britain anytime soon after his visa expired two years ago.
Mr Abramovich, who owns a £200million property empire in London, became an Israeli citizen in 2018 after he announced that he had withdrawn his UK visa application.
It came amid heightened tensions between London and Moscow over the Salisbury Novichok attack.
Abramovich’s Eclipse yacht off the coast of Portofino, Italy, in September 2013. The yacht is valued at £540million and is the largest which the Chelsea boss has owned
The yacht Sussurro is surrounded by sightseers in 2013. The 162ft vessel is valued at around £16million and was let go by Abramovich in around 2017
The Pelorus superyacht. The 377ft vessel has two helipads and a large swimming pool. It is valued at around £270million
Luna at port in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. The £276million vessel was delivered to Abramovich in 2010 and sold four years later to Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov
Abramovich’s former yacht Ecstasea sails through the Bosphorus, Istanbul, in 2010. The £110 million boat can accommodate 14 guests and 25 crew
In January, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny called for the freezing of Mr Abramovich’s assets over his poisoning and detention.
A representative of the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner accused the Chelsea owner of being associated with the Kremlin.
Mr Abramovich’s representatives poured scorn on the claims.
He is worth a reported £10 billion and has overseen years of lavish spending at Chelsea Football Club since taking over in 2003.
Under his ownership, the London club have won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and become one of world football’s most valuable clubs.
The Russian owns a 15-bedroom mansion in Kensington Palace Gardens on what is known as ‘billionaire’s row.’
He paid £90 million for the home which is now believed to be worth £125 million.
Mr Abramovich made his fortune by selling assets purchased from the state after the fall of the Soviet Union.