Hard to Eclipse: Abramovich's Superyacht reigns the luxury list

It's hard to Eclipse the Russian Roman: the tycoon has held on to his top spot in the rating annually compiled by SuperYachts.com. The yacht is 164m long and was constructed in 2009 at the Blohm und Voss wharf in Hamburg and designed by the London-based Terence Disdale Design Ltd. Abramovich officially assumed ownership of the yacht in late 2010, but any information about the interiors is deliberately kept secret. It is known that the yacht is equipped with an airstrip for 3 helicopters, a submarine, an anti-rocket system, and a special laser equipment that neutralises the paparazzi's cameras. The master apartments space exceeds 450 square meters, and there is a 16-m long open-air swimming pool. It is only known that 35 pieces of contemporary art were bought to decorate the rooms. 

The 10th spot on SuperYachts.com is occupied by Serene - a yacht constructed at the Fincantieri wharf in Italy for Yury Shefler, the vodka magnate and the head of the S.P.I. group. It is 30m shorter than Eclipse (134m) and has two helicopter landing grounds and a miniature submarine. The exterior of the yacht was designed by Espen Oeino, and the interior by Reymond Langton. It is considered one of the most technically advanced superyachts ever constructed. 

The German Blohm und Voss also constructed a yacht for another Russian billionaire, Andrei Melnichenko. The A yacht occupies the 15th spot in this year's list. Built in 2008, it resembles a submarine and has 119m in length, with the speed up to 23 knots. The famous designer Philip Stark worked on the interiors of the boat. 

The 19th spot is shared by two Abramovich's yachts, Pelorus and Luna. Pelorus, built in 2003 at the Lurssen Yachts wharf in Bremen in Germany, previously  belonged to an Arab businessman who sold it to Roman who in his turn sent the yacht back to Bremen for "modifications". The latter included another helicopter airstrip and various technical adjustments. The tender garage can be transformed into a floating dancefloor, while the lower aft deck can be used for playing sports. Interior design was again undertaken by Terence Disdale. The yacht can accommodate 22 guests and 42 crew members and has the speed of 20 knots. 

Luna, also on the 19th position, is one of the largest expedition yachts and can go long distances without added fuel, at the speed of up to 18 knots. It was  constructed at the Lloyd Werfy and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards in 2009. 

On 22nd place is Alisher Usmanov with the Dilbar yacht. It was also built in Bremen in 2008. The yacht accommodates 21 guests and 47 crew members, has 11m in length and can speed up to 21 knots.  

Another tycoon, Suleiman Kerimov, sits on the 39th spot with the Ice yacht. It was built in Bremen in 2005, and interiors were designed by Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood Design. It has 90.1m in length, with a maximum speed of up to 17.5 knots. The yacht accommodates 14 guests and 27 crew members. 

And the 50th spot is Ecstasea yacht, and it again belongs to Roman Abramovich. Ecstasea was built in 2004 and underwent some revamp in 2009. It is 86m long, with the maximum speed of 28 knots, and can accommodate 14 guests and 25 crew members.

The top ten positions are occupied predominantly by the members of the Saudi Arabian roayl family, the Brunei prince, and David Geffen, the media bigwig.

A special project of a Russian online business tabloid, Marker, allows to follow the moves of the tycoon yachts in real time. Right now Marker reports that Eclipse is anchored near the Virgin Islands, while Luna has just approached Panama. Not far are the yachts belonging to Mikhail Prokhorov (Solemar) and Evgeny Shwidler (Le Grand Blue). The Caribbean is the new favourite destination for Russian billionaires.

And in case you wonder what on Earth these people do with their precious possessions, here is the answer: they apparently make money. Eclipse is a registered charter yacht, and according to SuperYachts.com, "is currently available for charter in the cruising areas of East Mediterranean, West Mediterranean (Summer season) East Mediterranean, West Mediterranean (Winter season)". Other chartered yachts belonging to Russian owners are Luna and Serene. 

A full list with specs, photos and videos.