The award-winning superyacht named Ice is a large, privately owned yacht built in 2005. Measuring at 91 metres (299 feet) in length, Ice is not only one of the world’s largest yachts, but has also won the World Superyacht Awards in 2006. The luxuriously equipped and elegantly furnished yacht is driven by a high-tech diesel-electric propulsion system and can attain a speed of up to 18 knots. The main deck features a swimming pool and passengers can also enjoy the deluxe jacuzzi on the sun deck. Executive transport is accessible on-board with the yacht’s resident helicopter, a Eurocopter EC135. Ice is owned by the Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov.
Lurssen – German Precision at its Best
Superyacht Ice was built with the meticulousness of German engineering in one of the most celebrated yacht yards in the world, Lurssen. A family owned business for five generations, the German company has been creating exceptional seafaring vessels since its inception in 1875. Known as leaders in the field, Lurssen creates yachts of superior quality and performance. One of the company’s most successful products is the largest yacht in the world as of July 2014 – Azzam. With a resolute policy of maintaining unparalleled standards of design and technology, every custom-built Lurssen yacht is a masterpiece.
History of the Yacht Originally Named Air
Originally called Air, the yacht, now named Ice, was ordered by Augusto Perfetti, an Italian billionaire and entrepreneur in the sweets production industry. The Perfetti brothers’ top-selling brands include Mentos, Chupa-Chups and Airheads. While the yacht was under construction, the Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov contacted Perfetti and made him an irresistible offer to take over the order. The Italian candy manufacturer accepted Kerimov’s generous offer and placed an order for a yacht with another yacht builder, the Dutch company De Vries. Although Perfetti allowed Kerimov to take over the order, he kept the original name for his new yacht. This is when Suleyman Kerimov’s German built yacht became known as Ice.
Suleyman Kerimov
Suleyman Kerimov
The owner of Ice, Suleyman Kerimov is a successful and very wealthy Russian entrepreneur and politician. As one of the richest Russians in the world he has a net worth of approximately US $6.5 billion. Kerimov started his career as an accountant at an electrical company where he was eventually promoted to being deputy director general. In this role, Suleyman Kerimov was awarded with the opportunity to try his hand at investment. By making several strategic and lucrative investments in troubled companies that held potential for a turnaround Kerimov eventually achieved great wealth. His business interests include Sberbank, Nafta Moskva, Polymetal and Gazprom. Besides his wealth and ostentatious tastes, Suleyman Kerimov is also known for considerable charitable donations through the Kerimov Foundation. One such large donation was made to Pinocchio, a charity that helps children suffering from burns. Kerimov donated EUR 1 million to the charity after he suffered burns in a serious car accident in Nice with his Ferrari Enzo.
