Frozen Yachts market : One week after the announcement of the sale of the megayacht Amadea (106-m, Lürssen, 2017), all signs point to this operation being a clear success.

E. VOTAT
Aug 10, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jan 14

Why? Because the chosen format ticks all the boxes for an effective sale.

Frozen yachts sanctions - Yacht Amadea — Boat International

M/Y Amadea is the first seized yacht to be sold since the beginning of the war, and could become a reference point for the frozen yachts market.

A format that attracts serious buyers

Sale by sealed bid auction: confidentiality, professionalism, and no public bidding wars. This process is reserved for motivated candidates, not the casually curious.

A format that protects the seller and reassures the buyer

The sale of the Amadea will be conducted on an "As is, Where is" basis, without warranty, with full transparency on the yacht’s legal status: free of any liens or mortgages, under the direct authority of the US Marshals.

Technical and operational inspections are the responsibility of the candidates, which shortens deadlines and weeds out unprepared buyers.

The result: only committed actors capable of closing quickly remain in the race.

A tight schedule

From the official announcement to the closing of bids: 1 month flat
This tight timing wouldn’t be possible without a solid base of identified potential buyers

A rigorous selection process

To submit an offer:

A deposit of $10 million before September 5
Signing a sales agreement and providing KYC documents
Demonstrating the ability to pay the balance within less than a month

A process that secures the seller

2nd and 3rd highest bidders are contacted immediately if the first withdraws
Firm deadlines: 10 days for additional deposits, 28 days for full payment, 10 days for delivery

For brokers

The sale of the Amadea is also designed to attract serious intermediaries.

A clear and advantageous commission policy is in place: approved third-party brokers receive 50% of the gross commission, paid within two business days after the transfer of ownership.

In summary: Speed + Legal Security + Filtered Buyers = Guaranteed Success.

This is the exact opposite of slow, legally uncertain, and poorly prepared judicial sales, to be forgotten, like the Alfa Nero.

It is also a model to follow for all judicial or sanctioned asset sales. What needs to be defended is a tailor-made process that guarantees speed, transparency, and legal security.

This standard must be imposed in France to make our country the European leader in the management and sale of seized yachts, with a dedicated maritime asset team, professional methods, serious players, and concrete results.