Russian superyacht transits Strait of Hormuz despite tight restrictions

A superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian steel magnate Alexey Mordashov has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite tight restrictions linked to the US-Iran standoff.

The 142-metre vessel, Nord, left Dubai on Friday (24 April 2026), crossed the strait on Saturday and reached Muscat, Oman, early on Sunday, according to AIS data. Valued at more than $500m (£370m), it is one of the largest yachts in operation worldwide. Public tracking data shows it travelled along a route close to Iran’s coastline.

Only a limited number of vessels have used the waterway in recent months, and private yachts have largely stayed away. Since the conflict began on 28 February 2026, Iran has imposed strict limits on shipping through the strait, cutting daily traffic to a handful of vessels, mainly merchant ships. Before that, between 125 and 140 vessels would typically pass through each day.

How Nord managed to make the crossing is unclear. The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, targeting vessels linked to Tehran or attempting to use its facilities.

Other sanctioned vessels were also reported to have crossed the strait at around the same time, including tankers alleged to be linked to Iranian activities and its so-called “shadow fleet”.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key global shipping route, carrying around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Traffic is still well below normal levels.

A $500 million Russian superyacht has passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite a blockade of the key shipping route, the BBC reports.

The vessel is one of the few private yachts to have crossed the strait in recent months.

Sanctioned oligarch Alexey Mordashov, a close ally… pic.twitter.com/a6tb09Tfds

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 28, 2026

Mordashov, who has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, is not formally listed as the yacht’s owner. However, shipping data and corporate records show it was registered in 2022 to a Russian company owned by his wife. The firm is based in Cherepovets, where his steel and mining group Severstal is also registered.

A representative for Mordashov declined to comment on the vessel’s journey to Reuters on Monday.

With an estimated net worth of about $37bn (£27bn), Mordashov is among Russia’s wealthiest individuals. He has been sanctioned by the UK, US and European Union following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to his links to the Kremlin.

In 2022, a row erupted in South Africa after the government said it would not seize Nord when it attempted to dock in Cape Town, despite the city’s mayor calling for the country to bar it from entering.

Nord includes 20 staterooms, along with a swimming pool, helipad and submarine. It is not known whether Mordashov was on board during the voyage.

The passage of Nord comes as diplomatic contact between Moscow and Tehran continues. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has travelled to Russia for talks with Putin after discussions with mediators in Pakistan and Oman.