Sanctioned Russian Billionaire's Superyacht Sails Through Blockaded Strait of Hormuz

A superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, becoming one of very few vessels to transit the blockaded shipping lane at the heart of the US-Iran conflict, shipping data showed.

The 142-metre-long (465 feet) Nord luxury boat travelled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman over the weekend, the BBC reported. It is not clear how the multi-deck pleasure vessel gained permission to use the route.

Nord, estimated to be worth over $500 million (370 million pounds), left Dubai on Friday night and arrived at Al Mouj, a marina in Oman's capital, on Sunday morning, according to data on the Marine Traffic platform.

Mordashov, who has close ties to Putin, is not listed as the formal owner of the luxury boat.

However, Nord's records indicate it was registered to a firm owned by his wife in 2022. Per a Reuters report, this firm is registered in the Russian town of Cherepovets, where Mordashov's steelmaker Severstal is also registered.

How Did Nord Navigate the Strait of Hormuz Despite the Blockade?

The Russian-flagged Nord managed to clear the strait despite private vessels largely avoiding the waterway since the outbreak of hostilities.

Just a few, mainly merchant vessels, have been passing daily through the crucial waterway at the entrance to the Gulf as Washington and Tehran maintain an uneasy ceasefire.

According to a Reuters report, this represents a fraction of the average 125 to 140 daily passages before the Iran war began on February 28.

Since February, Iran has severely restricted traffic through the strait, which typically handles around one-fifth of the world's oil supply.

The conflict has contributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices, with the global benchmark Brent crude rising to $109 a barrel on Monday. The restrictions came after President Donald Trump announced US forces would impose a blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran has engaged with Russia in high-level talks this week as its standoff with the US over the strait's re-opening continues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin on Monday after discussions with mediators in Pakistan and Oman over the weekend.

Russia and Iran are longstanding allies and have become closer in recent years, including via a 2025 treaty that strengthened intelligence and security cooperation.