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Ukraine war: Russian-owned superyacht named Phi and worth £38m seized in London

The superyacht, which was in London for an awards ceremony, is 58.5 metres long and features what is described as an "infinite wine cellar" and a freshwater swimming pool.

Political reporter @itssophiemorris

Wednesday 30 March 2022 12:43, UK

A superyacht owned by a Russian businessman has been detained in London as the UK government continues to impose sanctions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that on Tuesday, UK officials boarded the vessel named Phi which was in Canary Wharf in east London.

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"Today we've detained a £38 million superyacht and turned an icon of Russia's power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," Mr Shapps said.

"Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from connections to Putin's regime."

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The Department for Transport said it worked with the National Crime Agency and the Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to identify and detain the vessel.

The government did not reveal the name of the superyacht's owner, but described her ownership as "deliberately well hidden".

Phi is registered to a company based in the Caribbean dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and carries a Maltese flag.

The Department for Transport added that it is "looking at a number of other vessels" and hopes its "strong stance sends an example to international partners".

Following the detention of the vessel, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesperson told reporters that the UK government "will continue to take robust action against anyone benefitting from Russian links".

"For the first time ever in UK waters, we have detained a Russian superyacht - the £38 million, Phi," he said.

"The Department for Transport has worked closely with the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to intercept the superyacht and will continue to take robust action against anyone benefitting from Russian links"

Phi - a vibrant bright blue superyacht named after a mathematical concept - is double the size of the other boats docked around it at Canary Wharf.

The vessel was built in the Netherlands and she made her maiden voyage last year.

Speaking after the vessel's detention, Mr Shapps said Phi "won't be going anywhere".

"It was here for refit, won't be going anywhere, and it's just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin's cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering," he said.

"When you see what he's doing to Ukraine, when you see what he's doing to people's lives, it can't be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away and that is why we've impounded it, and denied it ability to go anywhere right now, and it's another indication of how seriously we take these matters."

🚨BREAKING: Russian superyacht detained. I have worked closely with @NCA_UK & the @UKBorder ’s Maritime investigation Bureau to intercept the £38m - Phi. This Government will continue to take robust action against anyone benefiting from connections to Putin’s regime. pic.twitter.com/enp9M2tmBB — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) March 29, 2022

The government later clarified that the owner of the vessel is not currently subject to UK sanctions.

The move came as the prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Johnson told his Cabinet that "a ceasefire alone would not be cause for UK sanctions to be removed in Russia".

"He said the pressure on Putin must be increased both through further economic measures and providing military aid to ensure Russia changes course completely," the spokesman told reporters.

Number 10 added that the UK government's view on sanctioning outgoing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has not changed in light of his involvement in peace talks over the Russian invasion,

It comes as the Russian businessman was reported to be in Turkey for discussions on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said claims that the Chelsea FC owner suffered suspected poisoning during attempts to aid peace talks in Ukraine are "very concerning".

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The UK government has already imposed asset freezes and travel bans on a number of wealthy individuals as well as sanctioning certain Russian banks, limiting the ability of Russian companies to raise finance on the UK markets.

Ministers have also banned Russian carrier Aeroflot from landing in the UK.

But although it has announced it will phase out imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, it has stopped short of imposing a ban on the purchase of Russian gas.

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UK detains £38m superyacht owned by Russian businessman and docked in London’s Canary Wharf

The luxury vessel was in london for a superyacht awards ceremony, article bookmarked.

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The government today announced it has ordered its first detention of a superyacht in UK waters.

The £38m vessel is owned by an unnamed Russian businessman, the ownership of which ministers said is “deliberately well hidden”.

The luxury ship was in London for a superyacht awards ceremony and was due to depart at noon on Tuesday.

It comes as peace talks are underway over the war in Russia and Ukraine .

The transport secretary described the move as “a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies”.

Phi, a vibrant blue superyacht, is reported to be double the size of the other boats docked around it at Canary Wharf , east London.

The 58.5m-long ship features an “infinite wine cellar” and a “patented” freshwater swimming pool.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Grant Shapps said: “Now the ship is being held, it won’t be going anywhere.

“It was here for refit ... and it’s just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin’s cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering.

“When you see what he’s doing to Ukraine, when you see what he’s doing to people’s lives, it can’t be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away and that is why we’ve impounded it, and denied it ability to go anywhere right now, and it’s another indication of how seriously we take these matters.”

He added: “Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from connections to Putin’s regime.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) worked alongside with the National Crime Agency and the Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to identify and detain the vessel.

It refused to reveal the name of its owner, stating that he is “a Russian businessman”.

The boat is registered to a company based in the Caribbean dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and carries a Maltese flag.

The DfT said it is “looking at a number of other vessels” and hopes its “strong stance sends an example to international partners”.

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International Edition

News | London

UK seizes superyacht of unknown Russian businessman docked in London

A superyacht believed to be owned by a Russian businessman has been seized by UK authorities, Grant Shapps has confirmed.

The superyacht, known as Phi, was boarded by UK authorities in Canary Wharf , where it was docked on Tuesday.

The Transport Secretary said the yacht is reportedly valued at £38million and had been in London for an awards ceremony.

The 58.5 metre vessel contains a freshwater swimming pool and a wine cellar and was due to leave at 12pm.

Mr Shapps said: "Today we’ve detained a £38 million superyacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies.

"Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from connections to Putin’s regime."

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it worked with the National Crime Agency and the Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to identify and detain the vessel.

The name of the Russian businessman linked to the yacht is unknown but the vessel is believed to be registered to a company based in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The DfT said it will look into more vessels to detain as part of the UK’s sanctions programme against Russian businessmen with links to Vladimir Putin.

Mr Shapps added: “Now the ship is being held, it won’t be going anywhere.

"It was here for refit, won’t be going anywhere, and it’s just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin’s cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering.

"When you see what he’s doing to Ukraine, when you see what he’s doing to people’s lives, it can’t be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away and that is why we’ve impounded it, and denied it ability to go anywhere right now, and it’s another indication of how seriously we take these matters."

Last week the UK announced a further 65 new sanctions against Russian individuals and entities.

The Government has now sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities following the invasion of Ukraine.

Among those most recently sanctioned were individuals linked to the Wagner Group, a mercenary organisation and Polina Kovaleva, the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s stepdaughter, who reportedly owns a £4m house in London.

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Photos show a Russian businessman's $50 million superyacht docked in London with no visible security and lit up with fake stars hours after being seized

• A Russian businessman's $50 million superyacht, Phi, was seized by the UK in London on Tuesday.
• Insider visited the dock hours after it was seized. The vessel was brightly lit but seemed quiet.
• Phi was easy to spot and there weren't any security guards visible.

A Russian businessman's $50 million superyacht was seized by the UK on Tuesday in Canary Wharf, London's financial hub. The Financial Times reported that the 192-foot vessel is owned by Vitaly Vasilievich Kochetkov, who founded Motiv Telecom.

Sources: Insider , The Financial Times

The UK transport secretary Grant Shapps said that by seizing the vessel, authorities had "turned an icon of Russia's power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies." The West has been sanctioning Russian elites and oligarchs and seizing their assets to put pressure on the country to stop its invasion of Ukraine. Shapps said in mid-March that the UK was "investigating a small number of yachts moored in this country" with suspected links to Russian oligarchs."

Source: National Crime Agency , Insider

Insider visited the quay where the yacht, Phi, was docked hours after the UK announced its seizure.

The vessel was brightly lit, with external blue and yellow strip lights.

There were also small lights resembling stars on the covered ceiling of the deck.

With its bright lights, the vessel was far from inconspicuous ...

... especially compared with the other, much smaller boats docked nearby, which weren't lit up.

Phi seemed quiet when I visited at 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. There was nobody on the deck, and no visible security, either. This surprised me because some other yachts owned by Russian oligarchs have been targeted by activists protesting the invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Insider

Phi simply had two thin chains separating the dock from the footpath. These were in place along the whole footpath, looked easy to step over, and had been there since before the vessel was seized.

Other people walked past the boat when I was there without paying any attention. They might have been unaware that it was the first superyacht to be detained in UK waters under the government's sanctions against Russia.

The only other person who took an interest in Phi was a tourist who asked if I could take a picture of him with the yacht.

"Vessels aren't obliged to keep any lights on once moored in dock," Benjamin Maltby, a partner at Keystone Law who specializes in superyachts, told Insider. "The vessel's insurance may require crew to remain on board at all times, and having the lights on just makes moving around at night easier and safer."

"The lights may also be kept on as a security measure," Maltby added. "Plus, they look good — and owners and crew are rightly proud of their yachts."

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Ukraine invasion — explained

The roots of Russia's invasion of Ukraine go back decades and run deep. The current conflict is more than one country fighting to take over another; it is — in the words of one U.S. official — a shift in "the world order." Here are some helpful stories to make sense of it all.

A $49M Russian superyacht has been detained by U.K. officials near London

Rachel Treisman

The newly-detained superyacht Phi is pictured while docked in Canary Wharf in east London on Tuesday. James Manning - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images hide caption

The newly-detained superyacht Phi is pictured while docked in Canary Wharf in east London on Tuesday.

Officials in the United Kingdom say they've detained a Russian-owned superyacht docked near London, a first under new sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The $49.67 million yacht, which is named Phi, belongs to an unnamed Russian businessman and was docked in the Canary Wharf financial district of London, according to the government.

"Today we've detained a 38 million pound superyacht and turned an icon of Russia's power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement reported by Reuters . "Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections."

France seizes its first yacht as the West pledges to crack down on Russian oligarchs

Ukrainian sailors tried to block a Russian oligarch's yacht from docking in Turkey

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this is the first time a Russian superyacht has been detained in U.K. waters, according to SkyNews — which added that the government later clarified that the unidentified owner of the vessel is not currently subject to U.K. sanctions.

Officials said the yacht's ownership is "deliberately well hidden." The company it's registered to is based in the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, but the ship itself carries Maltese flags, purportedly to hide its origins.

Reuters reports that Phi was in Canary Wharf for a superyacht awards ceremony and was planning to depart today.

But the yacht won't be leaving anytime soon, according to Shapps.

"When you see what he's doing to Ukraine, when you see what he's doing to people's lives, it can't be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away and that is why we've impounded it, and denied it ability to go anywhere right now, and it's another indication of how seriously we take these matters," he said.

Why so many Russian billionaires are called oligarchs

Planet Money

How putin conquered russia's oligarchy.

Phi measures more than 190 feet long. It was completed in 2021 by Dutch builder Royal Huisman , which said it was set to be the longest sub-500GT yacht in the world. Its amenities include a freshwater swimming pool that converts into a sealed tank and an "infinite wine cellar," according to Boat International .

It also boasts a laser-powered exterior lighting system, Auto Evolution reports , and is accompanied by what is called a shadow vessel — "where all the water toys and additional equipment can be carried, in order to free up even more space on the mothership." The 118-foot shadow vessel, Phi Phantom , can reportedly fit a "huge tender and a boat," personal watercraft, motorbikes, additional fuel and a car.

Officials said that they first flagged the yacht as being potentially Russian-owned on March 13 and that the Department for Transport, National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau worked together to identify and detain it.

The transportation department said it's also looking at a number of other vessels and hopes that its "strong stance sends an example to international partners."

This story first appeared in the Morning Edition live blog .

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Update 2-uk detains russian-owned superyacht in london's canary wharf.

(Adds NCA details)

By Kylie MacLellan and Alistair Smout

LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) - Britain has detained a Russian-owned $50 million superyacht hours before it was due to leave London where it had docked for a meeting of the superyacht awards, saying the move was part of its sanctions package aimed at punishing Moscow.

The 58.5 metre Dutch-built yacht, named Phi, was detained in the Canary Wharf financial district of London under the government's Russian sanctions, the first time the regulations have been used to detain a ship.

The government said Phi was owned by a Russian businessman that it did not name, but that ownership was "deliberately" hidden, with the company the ship is registered to based in St Kitts and Nevis, and the ship carrying Maltese flags.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the owner of the vessel had not been sanctioned in Britain but that under the law a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia could be subject to detention.

The yacht, which features a fresh-water swimming pool and what it described as an "infinite wine cellar", was built by shipbuilders Royal Huisman.

"Today we’ve detained a 38 million pound superyacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement.

"Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections."

Britain has, along with international allies, introduced waves of sanctions on institutions, businesses and wealthy elites, seeking to cripple the Russian economy and punish those with links to the Kremlin for the invasion of Ukraine.

Phi was first identified as being potentially Russian owned on March 13, the government said, and a subsequent investigation by the NCA led to its detention.

"Today's activity demonstrates the NCA's ability to react at pace," Andy Devine from the NCA said.

The government said it was also looking at a number of other vessels.

($1 = 0.7651 pounds) (Additional reporting by William James; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)

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UK detains Russian-owned superyacht in London's Canary Wharf

By Kylie MacLellan and Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain has detained a Russian-owned $50 million superyacht hours before it was due to leave London where it had docked for a meeting of the superyacht awards, saying the move was part of its sanctions package aimed at punishing Moscow.

The 58.5 metre Dutch-built yacht, named Phi, was detained in the Canary Wharf financial district of London under the government's Russian sanctions, the first time the regulations have been used to detain a ship.

The government said Phi was owned by a Russian businessman that it did not name, but that ownership was "deliberately" hidden, with the company the ship is registered to based in St Kitts and Nevis, and the ship carrying Maltese flags.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the owner of the vessel had not been sanctioned in Britain but that under the law a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia could be subject to detention.

The yacht, which features a fresh-water swimming pool and what it described as an "infinite wine cellar", was built by shipbuilders Royal Huisman.

"Today we’ve detained a 38 million pound superyacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement.

"Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections."

Britain has, along with international allies, introduced waves of sanctions on institutions, businesses and wealthy elites, seeking to cripple the Russian economy and punish those with links to the Kremlin for the invasion of Ukraine.

Phi was first identified as being potentially Russian owned on March 13, the government said, and a subsequent investigation by the NCA led to its detention.

"Today's activity demonstrates the NCA's ability to react at pace," Andy Devine from the NCA said.

The government said it was also looking at a number of other vessels.

($1 = 0.7651 pounds)

(Additional reporting by William James; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)

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Russian oligarch’s £38m superyacht back in London a year after being seized

Tuesday, March 28th, 2023

Written by: Marine Industry News

A superyacht reportedly owned by a Russian oligarch has been spotted at London’s Canary Wharf — a year after the vessel was seized under sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Alongside several eyewitness reports, AIS data confirms that, as of 28 March 2023, the £38m megayacht Phi is moored in Canary Wharf, east London.

The ultimate ownership of the Phi had been well hidden. The company the ship is registered to is based in St Kitts and Nevis, and the vessel carried Maltese flags.

In March 2022, the UK government detained Phi in Canary Wharf , just hours before it was set to leave the capital following a superyacht awards ceremony.

At the time, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the unnamed owner was “not currently sanctioned” but is a businessman who has “close connections” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. While initial reports in British outlets claimed the vessel is owned by Russian businessman Sergei Georgievich Naumenko, the Financial Times reported the ultimate owner as Vitaly Vasilievich Kochetkov, the founder of Motiv Telecom.

Arriving on the vessel for a photocall after the yacht was detained last year, Shapps declared the move a ‘warning’ to Russia.

“We’ve detained a £38m superyacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies,” he said. “Detaining Phi, proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections.”

Yet despite the detention and unclear ownership, Phi remains in Canary Wharf. One Londoner has posted a photo of Phi on the Reddit forum this week, asking: “Whose yacht is docked in Canary Wharf?”

One user clarifies: “Yea it’s on my running route and has been over in that corner of the dock for almost a year now. It used to come and go I think, and dock a bit closer to everything else.”

The 58.5-metre  Phi  has a freshwater swimming pool and an ‘infinite wine cellar’ – created by reflections of mirrors –according to the website of its builder Royal Huisman .  Phi  is the third-biggest yacht built by the prestigious Dutch shipyard, and also has its own 36-metre shadow vessel. It made its maiden voyage from the Netherlands to London in December 2021.

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2 responses to “russian oligarch’s £38m superyacht back in london a year after being seized”.

Completely illegal seizure of property which casts doubt on 400 years of UK property law. Seizure if sanctioned individual’s property is understandable if debatable but this one is indefensible and just a publicity stunt by a weak and shallow UK government

Uncanny that the tender is a Ukrainian built rib that the Russians bombed the factory of last June! Disgraceful

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Superyacht detained in London under Russia sanctions, says Shapps

Vessel owned by Russian businessman is first to be held in UK after invasion of Ukraine

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates

A £38m superyacht owned by an unnamed Russian businessman has been detained in Canary Wharf in London as part of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine .

The vessel, known as Phi, is subject to the first detention of a superyacht in UK waters, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said, and its owner was “deliberately well hidden”. The company to which the ship is registered is based in the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis and it carried Maltese flags to hide its origins, the NCA said.

The law does not require proof or suspicion the owner is closely tied to the Putin regime, merely they are a Russian national, sources told the Guardian, and the owner is understood not to be an individual facing sanctions.

Guy Booth, a New Zealander based in Brighton, is captain of Phi and has posted several pictures of the vessel on his Instagram feed.

Booth, an experienced superyacht seaman, was appointed as “owner’s representative” and “build captain” to oversee the construction of the yacht in 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile. Booth did not respond to requests for comment on the identity of the owner.

Booth has previously said the owner proposed “thousands of crazy ideas” for what he wanted from the yacht , including a “penthouse” apartment on the upper deck.

“From the early days, it was fairly clear that this owner’s vision would take a unique combination of some extraordinary skills,” Booth said in 2020 . “The owner knew that he wanted a deep, intelligent and thought-provoking core concept, that reflects elements of several great personal interests.”

In November, Booth posted a photo of the yacht with the caption “MY Phi just started the first day of trials” when the boat completed its first openwater tests in the North Sea.

The yacht was designed by the Dutch superyacht designer Cor D Rover, which has previously said: “Rather than just building a large yacht on a so-called shipyard ‘platform’ to enjoy the pleasures of being at sea, the owner of Phi wanted to build a yacht with a profound underlying story, a deep-rooted knowledge that runs through all aspects of the yacht, from her exterior appearance all the way to internal experience.”

The yacht was in London for a World Superyacht Awards judging panel event that took place on Monday at the five-star Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. It had been planning to depart at noon on Tuesday.

The Guardian has approached Booth for comment.

Officers from the NCA’s “combating kleptocracy cell” served the detention notice after identifying the owner with support from the Border Force maritime intelligence bureau and passing the information to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps .

At 58.5 metres long, Phi is the third biggest yacht built by the prestigious shipbuilders Royal Huisman and includes what the builders call an “infinite wine cellar” and patented fresh-water swimming pool.

Shapps, said impounding the vessel had “turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies … Detaining the Phi, proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections,” he said.

Phi – named after the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet, used to symbolise the golden ratio – made its maiden voyage last year after being built in the Netherlands.

Shapps said: “Now the ship is being held, it won’t be going anywhere … it’s just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin’s cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering. When you see what he’s doing to Ukraine, when you see what he’s doing to people’s lives, it can’t be right to have a yacht like this here in London , able to just sail away and that is why we’ve impounded it, and denied it the ability to go anywhere right now, and it’s another indication of how seriously we take these matters.”

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “For the first time ever in UK waters we have detained a Russian super-yacht, the £38m Phi. The Department for Transport (DfT) has worked closely with the National Crime Agency and Border Force maritime investigation bureau to intercept this superyacht. We will continue to take robust action against anyone benefiting from Russian links.”

The Department for Transport said it was looking at a number of other vessels and hoped its “strong stance sends an example to international partners”.

Up to 12 guests are accommodated onboard Phi, and it also has accommodation for 11 crew, including the captain, according to Super Yacht Times . The vessel was last sold in 2018.

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Russian Tycoon Fails to Get Superyacht Out of Canary Wharf (1)

By Upmanyu Trivedi

The UK’s decision to freeze an unsanctioned Russian tycoon’s £38 million ($49 million) superyacht was legal, a London court ruled in a boost to the government’s attempts to get tougher on wealthy Russians and encourage them to speak out against Russian President Vladimir Putin ’s government.

The court rejected the challenge by Sergei Naumenko, a property developer who hasn’t been sanctioned, as it ruled in favor of extending the 2022 freeze of the 60-meter (197-foot) vessel “Phi.” Naumenko had sued the UK’s Department of Transport saying he never engaged in political activities, has no connections with Putin , and that ...

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Mystery Russian's £38m superyacht with 'infinite wine cellar' seized in Canary Wharf

29 March 2022, 14:57 | Updated: 29 March 2022, 15:46

By Daisy Stephens

A £38 million superyacht owned by a Russian businessman has been seized in Canary Wharf.

Listen to this article

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ordered the detention of the yacht, named Phi after the mathematical concept, which was in the capital for a superyacht awards ceremony.

The boat has an "infinite wine cellar" and a freshwater swimming pool.

It was planning to depart at noon on Tuesday, but Mr Shapps said he took action due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Today we've detained a £38 million superyacht and turned an icon of Russia's power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," he said.

"Detaining the Phi, proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from connections to Putin's regime."

The DfT said it was not disclosing the identity of the owner.

Superyacht owned by Russian businessman detained in London

🚨BREAKING: Russian superyacht detained. I have worked closely with @NCA_UK & the @UKBorder ’s Maritime investigation Bureau to intercept the £38m - Phi. This Government will continue to take robust action against anyone benefiting from connections to Putin’s regime. pic.twitter.com/enp9M2tmBB — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) March 29, 2022

Phi is the first ship to be held in the UK as part of punishments against Moscow for invading Ukraine.

She is bright blue and features what is described as an "infinite wine cellar" and a freshwater swimming pool.

At 58.5 metres long, she is twice as long as the other boats docked around her in Canary Wharf.

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Mr Shapps said the ship was in London for a "refit" but "won't be going anywhere".

"It's just another indication that we will not stand by whilst Putin's cronies are allowed to sail around the world in these kinds of yachts and people in Ukraine are suffering," he said.

"When you see what he's doing to Ukraine, when you see what he's doing to people's lives, it can't be right to have a yacht like this here in London, able to just sail away, and that is why we've impounded it and denied its ability to go anywhere right now."

The vessel's horn was sounded twice while the Cabinet minister was being interviewed.

Someone thought to be a member of crew stuck a paper sign reading "P&O JUSTICE FOR THE 800" to the side of the boat, after P&O Ferries sacked nearly 800 seafarers without notice.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it worked with the National Crime Agency and the Border Force Maritime Investigation Bureau to identify and detain Phi.

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It refused to reveal the name of her owner, stating that he is "a Russian businessman".

The department described Phi's ownership as "deliberately well hidden".

She is registered to a company based in the Caribbean dual-island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and carries a Maltese flag.

The DfT said it is "looking at a number of other vessels" and hopes its "strong stance sends an example to international partners".

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UK detains Russian-owned superyacht in London’s Canary Wharf

The 58.5 metre dutch-built yacht, named phi, was detained under the government's russian sanctions, the first time the regulations have been used to detain a ship.

Britain has detained a 38 million pound ($49.67 million) superyacht owned by a Russian businessman which was docked in the Canary Wharf financial district of London, the government said on Tuesday.

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The 58.5 metre Dutch-built yacht, named Phi, was detained under the government's Russian sanctions, the first time the regulations have been used to detain a ship.

The government said Phi is owned by a Russian businessman but that ownership was "deliberately well hidden", with the company the ship is registered to based in the islands of St Kitts and Nevis, and the ship carrying Maltese flags.

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"Today we've detained a 38 million pound superyacht and turned an icon of Russia's power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies," Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement.

"Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections."

Phi was first identified as being potentially Russian owned on March 13, the government said, and a subsequent investigation led to its detention. The government said it was also looking at a number of other vessels.

The government said the ship was in Canary Wharf for the superyacht awards and was planning to depart on Tuesday.

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16 superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs

Western sanctions over moscow's invasion of ukraine led to many luxury vessels being detained in europe.

Two superyachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich were spotted on the Turkish coast on Tuesday, 'Eclipse' and 'My Solaris'. Mr Abramovich is among several wealthy Russians added to an EU blacklist as governments act to seize their yachts and other luxury assets. AP

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

Several luxury yachts owned by wealthy Russians have been detained across Europe this month.

It comes after the West imposed sanctions on oligarchs over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine .

Some have taken evasive action – two such superyachts linked to billionaire Roman Abramovich were spotted approaching the Turkish coast on Tuesday. A group of Ukrainians tried to stop one of the yachts from docking in Turkey.

Chelsea FC owner Mr Abramovich is one of several oligarchs who were added to an EU blacklist last week as governments acted to seize yachts and other luxury assets owned by the billionaires.

Western sanctions resulted in many large vessels relocating from Europe in the past few weeks. Several have headed to places such as the Maldives, which have no extradition treaty with the US.

Where is the Abramovich-owned yacht heading?

Mr Abramovich's yacht Eclipse was seen heading towards Marmaris on Tuesday, according to data compiled by monitoring site Marine Traffic, which was seen by Reuters.

The previous day, his superyacht Solaris was moored in Bodrum, about 80 kilometres from Marmaris, data showed, after skirting waters of EU countries.

There was no suggestion Mr Abramovich was on board either of the yachts.

Ukrainians attempt to stop Abramovich's yacht docking in Turkey

Which yachts have been detained?

On Monday, a superyacht linked to another Russian billionaire was detained by authorities after docking in Gibraltar.

The Axioma , believed to belong to Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, moored at Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Reuters TV footage showed.

Mr Pumpyansky, who is under UK and EU sanctions, owns Russia's largest steel pipe maker TMK. Data shows the 72-metre vessel is owned by a British Virgin Islands holding company called Pyrene investments, Reuters reported. An article published as part of the Panama Papers leaks names Mr Pumpyansky as a beneficiary of the holding.

On March 12, the world's biggest sailing yacht, called Sailing Yacht A and owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko , was seized by Italian police.

Several other luxury yachts have also been detained across Europe, including in Gibraltar, Mallorca in Spain's Balearic Islands and the French coast.

Here are 16 superyachts linked to wealthy Russians

1. Eclipse , a superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich , was this week spotted heading in the direction of Marmaris in Turkey.

2. Solaris , belonging to Mr Abramovich , moored in Bodrum at the start of the week.

3. The Axioma superyacht, belonging to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky , who is on the EU's list of sanctioned Russians, was detained by authorities after docking in Gibraltar on Monday.

4. The Crescent , which was seized by the Spanish government in Tarragona, Spain, on March 17. The ship's owner is not publicly known, although it is believed to belong to Russian Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft Oil in Moscow.

5. Ragnar , owned by former KGB officer and Russian oligarch Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, who is not on the EU sanctions list.

6. Tango , owned by Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, who was sanctioned by the US on March 11.

7. Lady Anastasia , owned by Russian arms manufacturer Alexander Mijeev, is retained at Port Adriano, Mallorca, as a result of sanctions against Russia and Belarus issued by the European Union.

8. Valerie was seized by the Spanish government in Barcelona, Spain, on March 15. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the ship is linked to Rostec State Corporation’s chief executive Sergey Chemezov.

9. The $578 million Sailing Yacht A owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko was seized by Italian police in the port of Trieste on March 12.

10. The 156-metre Dilbar superyacht is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

11. La Datcha belongs to Russian billionaire businessman Oleg Tinkov.

12. Lady M , owned by Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, was seized by Italian police on March 5.

13. Amore Vero was seized in the Mediterranean resort of La Ciotat on March 3 by French authorities. The yacht is linked to Igor Sechin, a Putin ally who runs the Russian oil giant Rosneft.

14. Quantum Blue , owned by a company linked to Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky, the head of Russian oil giant Rosneft, was seized in southern France on March 3.

15. Superyacht Luna is owned by Russian billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov.

16. Triple Seven is owned by Russian billionaire Alexander Abramov, according to media reports. The yacht was last up for sale in 2020 for €38 million ($41.85 million).

London's Canary Wharf eyes overhaul of HSBC's skyscraper, sources say

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