According to a number of reports, Moscow River Shipping Company (MRP), one of Russia’s oldest cargo and passenger shipping companies, has put one of Russia’s rarest yachts, Maxim Gorky, up for sale.

The 84-year-old steam ship was reportedly owned by the Soviet political leader, Joseph Stalin, and is therefore recognised as the ‘Yacht of Stalin’. However, the vessel, which measures approximately 69m in length and 13m in beam, is named after renowned Soviet editor, Maxim Gorky, who also used to use the boat and was a Stalin crony.

The sources suggest that MRP is hoping to receive 20 million rubles – currently just under €300,000 – for the yacht. It will most likely sell at an auction held in Moscow at the end of February. IBI News reported that there is already great interest from 'well-known collectors and philanthropists from the UK, US and some Arabian states'.

Among those interested, according to the Kommersant newspaper, are Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company and the Nizhny Novgorod regional government in Russia – both of which are reportedly considering transforming the ship into a centrepiece for local museums.  

Sources suggest that MRP is hoping to receive 20 million rubles for the yacht.

The aforementioned newspaper has described it as a ‘landmark ship’ for Nizhny Novgorod, as it was built in a local shipyard – Krasnoe Sormovo – in 1934. Furthermore, 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of Gorky’s death, so its use as an attraction on Russian turf seems an appropriate repossession.

The yacht used to be well known for housing the Russian elite on board, although despite being dubbed as Stalin’s yacht there is no evidence to confirm that he was ever on board. Due to high operating costs, the ship has been used solely as a restaurant since 2014.

MRP, which is listing the yacht for sale, is part of Aeon Corporation, which also controls 13 airports in Russia along with shipbuilding companies and several ports. The owner of Aeon Corporation is Russian entrepreneur, Roman Trotsenko, who used to be the owner of Timmerman Yachts, which, according to SuperyachtIntelligence.com, delivered 14 superyachts between 2003 and 2012.

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