Exclusive Photos Reveal Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich’s 455-Foot-Long “Secret” Superyacht Solaris Underway

Exclusive photos show Roman Abramovich's new 455-foot-long yacht photographed on the North Sea recently Charl van Rooy /SuperYacht Times

One of the many ironies of the superyacht world is that nearly all of the world’s largest superyachts are “shrouded in secrecy” when they’re being designed, built and eventually, launched. And of course, when it comes to security and media scrutiny, it’s easy to see why many of the world’s wealthiest and powerful people would want to keep their ownership of the world’s newest superyacht that’s well over 400-feet long a “secret.”

The irony is pretty obvious, right?

Superyachts are the ultimate indulgence that occupy the top of the world’s status pyramid. And the biggest superyachts, like the 455-foot-long explorer yacht Solaris that has recently been photographed for the Super YachtTimes undergoing sea trials in the North Sea draw significant media scrutiny simply because they are so big. 

Exclusive photos show just how big Roman Abramovich's new 455-foot-long yacht is next to a large oil tanker Charl van Rooy / SuperYacht Times

So, as often is the case, the owner of Solaris may have been “shrouded in secrecy,” and “no official details have been released,” but according to many published reports, the “secret” is out. And many believe this massive new superyacht that was designed by Australian Marc Newson and built by Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany is owned by the well-known Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Exclusive photos show just how big Roman Abramovich's new 455-foot-long yacht is. Charl van Rooy / SuperYacht Times

But this comes as no surprise. Abramovich has already owned a virtual fleet of large yachts that have ranged from 162-feet-to-371-feet long. In fact, Solaris won’t even be the largest yacht in Abramovich’s fleet when he takes delivery later this year. That distinction still goes to the 533-foot-long Eclipse (pictured below) he’s owned since 2010.

533-foot-long superyacht Eclipse owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovitch lies at anchor in Antibes' bay, southeastern France. AFP PHOTO SEBASTIEN NOGIER (Photo credit should read SEBASTIEN NOGIER/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

But, as these exclusive photos show, Solaris is no ordinary yacht. It’s built for exploring and equipped with the requisite helicopter landing pad and hangar on the upper deck. It also features a large, open main deck aft with a beach club.

Solaris owned by Roman Abramovitch features a massive pool and beach club Charl van Rooy / SuperYacht Times

Solaris is also believed to be fitted with a power and energy management system from ABB, and equipped with two massive, 9-megawatt electric Azipods that provide propulsion. And what may be the most interesting bit of news to break, it’s reported that the eight-deck-tall yacht has accommodation space to sleep 36 guests, as well as 60 crew.

The “secret” is out. Stay tuned for more information.