Super yacht “Alfa Nero” at sea. Photo courtesy Superyacht Times.
WASHINGTON, DC--Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Sir Ronald Sanders announced on Thursday that the government of Antigua and Barbuda has been successful in its discussions with the US government concerning its application for a licence to proceed with the unfettered sale of the super yacht Alfa Nero, according to a press release from the ambassador.
On May 18, the US Department of the Treasury issued licence No. RUSSIA-EO14024-2023-1060959-1 to the government of Antigua and Barbuda, authorising persons licensed by the US Treasury to “participate in the government of Antigua and Barbuda auction of the vessel M/Y Alfa Nero”. It also authorises “transactions that include but are not limited to, bidding on the purchase of the vessel; paying deposits; and providing financing, insurance or funding in connection with the purchase,” the release states.
This authorisation was announced in the National Assembly of Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, opening up the way for the Port Authority of Antigua and Barbuda to proceed with a sale of the Alfa Nero by auction, to any persons who are not on a sanctioned list and who have applied for and received a licence from the US Treasury to engage in financial transactions related to the vessel. It is understood that several interested bidders have already received individual licences from the US Treasury Department, according to the release.
Ambassador Sanders said that, while the licence permits the government of Antigua and Barbuda to proceed with the auction and to sell the vessel, other matters, such as the formal de-listing of the Alfa Nero from the US Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons list, are still being pursued.
The ambassador remarked that “this entire process broke new ground; there were no rule books or patterns to follow. In this sense, much has been achieved by a small state.”
