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The
prominent sight of the 465 foot (141-metre) multi-deck Nord in
the city's Victoria harbour in recent weeks had sparked
criticism from the United States' State Department, which
questioned the "transparency" of the financial hub and warned of
reputational risks.
Mordashov, a billionaire close to President Vladimir Putin, was
among a number of Russians sanctioned by the United States and
European Union - but not the United Nations - after Russia's
invasion of Ukraine for their links to Putin.
While a number of Russian superyachts have been seized or denied
entry in Europe and other jurisdictions, the Nord was left
undisturbed in Hong Kong after its arrival on Oct. 5.
Valued at over $500 million, it arrived via a seven day voyage
from Vladivostok in Russian Far East, down through the Sea of
Japan and the East China Sea.
The Hong Kong Marine Department later confirmed to Reuters that
the Nord had departed Hong Kong on Thursday but said it could
not comment further.
The MarineTraffic site put the vessel southeast of Hong Kong
waters early on Thursday evening, heading into the South China
Sea.
A Reuters witness saw a fuel barge alongside the vessel inside
the harbour at noon.
Hong Kong's leader John Lee said on Oct. 11 the city's
authorities would not act on unilateral sanctions imposed on
Mordashov by individual jurisdictions.
"We cannot do anything that has no legal basis," said Lee, who
himself has been sanctioned by the United States for his role on
a crackdown on local freedoms.
Lee, who is due to host an international investment summit in
November with global business leaders, said the Chinese-ruled
city would only abide by United Nations sanctions.
(Reporting By Greg Torode and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Editing
by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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