Port Manager Darwin Telemaque has confirmed to the press that Russian Superyacht, Alfa Nero will be auctioned on Friday.

The auction will take place at 10 am in the Treasury Conference Room.

The media is expected to be further briefed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Selling the Alfa Nero hasn’t been an easy task for the government as it encountered several roadblocks during the process

On June 01, the US removed the Alfa Nero, from its sanctions list; one of the major hurdles for the government after it seized the multi-million-dollar floating island.

It was Ambassador to the United States Ronald Sanders who had been leading the effort in Washington to have the Alfa Nero removed from the List of the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) of the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

This paved the way, making the Government of Antigua and Barbuda the lawful owners, cutting all ties to the sanctioned Russian Oligarch, Anrey Yurev, and his family

Once the sanctions were removed, this gave legal rights for the sale of the Alfa Nero

Meanwhile, the Antigua and Barbuda government cannot sell the vessel to a sanctioned person or entity or any entity or person linked to them.

Several persons have already shown interest in buying the vessel, which has been moored in the Falmouth Habour for over a year.

The yacht, features a 12-meter infinity pool, a Jacuzzi, a spa, a beauty room and a helipad.

The government said the vessel which now has an Antigua and Barbudan flag is posing an environmental risk

Proceeds of the sale are expected to be placed in a consolidated fund once the massive debt racked up by the yacht is completely cleared.