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Mordashov-linked Superyacht Nord Defies US Blockade

4/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 142-metre superyacht Nord crossed the blockaded Strait of Hormuz on Friday-Sunday despite the U.S. blockade.
The yacht is linked to sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov and was registered in 2022 to a firm owned by his wife in Cherepovets.
Tracking data show the Nord followed Iran’s designated coastal route from Dubai to Muscat, Oman.
Experts say the passage shows selective enforcement as traffic fell from 125-140 ships to a fraction.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1988 Operation Praying Mantis clash, the Strait of Hormuz—through which about 20 % of world oil flows—has been a flashpoint. After Iran’s 2019 tanker attacks, the United States imposed a naval blockade that cut daily transits from 130 to 90 ships, a 30 % drop. In 2024 the Russian-linked superyacht Nord, owned via a firm tied to Alexey Mordashov, sailed the strait despite U.S. restrictions.

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Story summary

The 142-metre superyacht Nord crossed the blockaded Strait of Hormuz on Friday-Sunday despite the U.S. blockade.
The yacht is linked to sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov and was registered in 2022 to a firm owned by his wife in Cherepovets.
Tracking data show the Nord followed Iran’s designated coastal route from Dubai to Muscat, Oman.
Experts say the passage shows selective enforcement as traffic fell from 125-140 ships to a fraction.

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