Journal · Super Yachts
The most expensive yachts in the world
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Among confirmed, existing vessels, the world's most expensive yacht is Alisher Usmanov's Dilbar, valued at roughly $800 million and the largest yacht ever built by interior volume (SuperYachtFan; Wikipedia), ahead of Roman Abramovich's Eclipse at about $700 million and Sheikh Khalifa's record-length Azzam at around $600 million (SuperYachtFan; Marine Insight). Newer entrants include Jeff Bezos's 127-metre sailing yacht Koru, reported to have cost at least $500 million and listed for sale in 2026 (Fortune, 2025), while the frequently cited $4.8 billion History Supreme is widely debunked as a hoax, as no credible photos exist and naval architects say a 100-foot hull laden with 100,000 kg of precious metal could not stay afloat (deYachting; Marine Insight). All figures are estimates, since no owner has publicly confirmed a purchase price.
What are the most expensive yachts in the world?
The top of the market belongs to billionaires and royal families, and the headline values are press estimates rather than confirmed prices — superyachts seldom sell publicly, and build costs are rarely disclosed. With that caveat, the table below lists the yachts most often ranked at the summit, with their owners and lengths.
| Yacht | Owner | Length | Est. value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse | Roman Abramovich | 162.5 m | ~$1.5B |
| Azzam | Abu Dhabi royal family | 180 m (largest) | ~$600M |
| Sailing Yacht A | Andrey Melnichenko | 142.8 m | ~$600M |
| Dilbar | Alisher Usmanov | 156 m | ~$600M |
| Solaris | Roman Abramovich | 140 m | ~$600M |
| Koru | Jeff Bezos | 127 m (sailing) | ~$500M |
Estimated values are press figures, not confirmed sale prices; ownership is often held through companies. Verify before citing onward.
Is the History Supreme yacht real?
No — and it is worth saying plainly, because the claim circulates endlessly. The "History Supreme," a supposed $4.8 billion gold-and-platinum superyacht, is a debunked hoax: no such vessel exists, the images were lifted from an Italian builder's website, and the story has never been substantiated. The real ceiling of the market is a fraction of that mythical figure.
What makes a superyacht so expensive — and to run?
Size, custom engineering, and the finest materials drive the build price; length is the single biggest multiplier. Running costs then compound it: the industry rule of thumb is about 10% of value a year — crew, fuel, dockage, insurance, and maintenance — so a $500 million yacht can cost $50 million annually before refits. We quantify that in the yacht running-cost calculator and the cost guide.
FAQ
Most expensive yachts — quick answers
What is the most expensive yacht in the world?
The most expensive yacht in the world is usually cited as Roman Abramovich's Eclipse, estimated at around $1.5 billion, though such figures are estimates rather than confirmed prices. The largest yacht is Azzam at about 180 metres. Estimated values are unreliable: superyachts rarely change hands publicly, and build costs are seldom disclosed.
Who owns the most expensive yachts?
The most valuable yachts belong to billionaires and royal families: Roman Abramovich (Eclipse, Solaris), the Abu Dhabi royal family (Azzam), Alisher Usmanov (Dilbar), Andrey Melnichenko (Sailing Yacht A), and Jeff Bezos (Koru). Ownership is often held through companies and trusts, and many figures are estimated by the press rather than confirmed.
Is the History Supreme yacht real?
No. The widely shared "History Supreme," a supposed $4.8 billion gold-plated superyacht, is a debunked hoax. No such vessel exists; the images were taken from an Italian builder's website and the story has never been substantiated. Treat the figure as an internet myth, not a record.
How much does the world's most expensive yacht cost to run?
As a rule of thumb, annual running costs run about 10% of a yacht's value — so a $500–600 million superyacht can cost $50–60 million a year in crew, fuel, dockage, insurance, and maintenance, before refits. For the very largest yachts, with 50-plus crew, the figure climbs higher. Ownership is an operating commitment, not just a purchase.
What is the largest yacht in the world?
It depends on the metric. By length, the largest is now the 195-metre research vessel REV Ocean, which overtakes the 180-metre Azzam, long the longest privately owned motor yacht. By interior volume, REV Ocean (about 19,045 GT) also surpasses Alisher Usmanov’s Dilbar (15,917 GT), previously the volume record-holder.
How long does it take to build a superyacht?
A custom superyacht typically takes about two to four years from contract to delivery, while the largest 100-metre-plus builds can run five years or more. Smaller vessels under 40 metres may finish in 18 to 24 months. The timeline covers design, engineering, construction, and sea trials, and stretches with size, customisation, and yard backlog.
Where are most superyachts built?
Most superyachts are built in Europe, led by Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. Italy dominates by volume and unit count through builders like Azimut-Benetti and Sanlorenzo, while the Netherlands (Feadship) and Germany (Lurssen) specialise in the very largest 50-metre-plus vessels. Record-length yachts such as Azzam and Dilbar came from Lurssen in Germany.
How much does it cost to charter the most expensive yachts?
The top vessels charter for roughly 3 to 3.5 million euros per week before expenses. Lurssen’s 122-metre Kismet lists at about 3 million euros, and Feadship’s hydrogen-powered Breakthrough at around 3.5 million (over 4 million dollars). On top, a provisioning allowance covering fuel, food, and marinas typically adds about 30 percent, plus separate crew gratuity.
Sources & further reading: BoatInternational, SuperYacht Times, and press reporting; values are estimates, not confirmed prices. See also how much a yacht costs, yacht vs superyacht vs megayacht, and catamaran vs monohull.
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