Superyacht Can Stay Despite Western Sanctions: Govt

The government confirmed on Sunday that it will take no action over a superyacht which dropped anchor in Hong Kong last week, despite sanctions imposed by some western governments against its Russian billionaire owner.

Marine Department records show that, Nord, a 142-metre yacht tied to steel mogul Alexey Mordashov, dropped anchor in the city’s waters on October 5.

The 56-year-old businessman has been the target of sanctions from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, imposed in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In a statement issued late on Sunday night, a government spokesman said it’s all along implemented and enforced fully sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council.

But he said certain countries may impose unilateral sanctions against certain places “on the basis of their own considerations”.

“The [Hong Kong government] does not implement, nor do we have the legal authority to take action on, unilateral sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions”, the spokesman said.