Will Abramovich yacht eclipse Melnichenko’s?

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko has christened his newly-delivered £200m superyacht 'A' - so that nothing can precede it in the list of the world’s greatest vessels, according to a report in the Sunday Times. However, his moment of glory is likely to be short-lived because his friend and fellow billionaire Roman Abramovich (pictured) is poised to add another vessel to his fleet of three superyachts - which he proposes calling (aptly) Eclipse. It is costing him £240m and at 613 ft will make Melnichenko's boat, which is just 390ft, look like a minnow.

Still, for the moment at least, Melnichenko, 36, is king of the waves. And there is no questioning that 'A' is quite something. The extraordinary shape, more like a submarine, is down to Philippe Starck, the French designer. Clamshell doors at the rear open upwards to release two 30ft speedboats, and the Rolls-Royce steering system can guide it across the Atlantic in less than seven days. Most important, the lack of railings will deter pirates (a real risk) from grappling onto the side of the vessel.

Melnichenko and his wife, a former Miss Yugoslavia called Aleksandra, have all the comforts you would expect, including a bed that sits on a revolving floor so they can turn it to get the best ocean views and three swimming pools to choose from. As well as the 37-strong crew, the yacht has cabins for five staff, including a secretary. (Continued below)

Meanwhile, from the Abramovich camp comes news of another extravagant purchase. It is being reported from Rome that his girlfriend Daria Zhukova liked the restaurant he took her to recently so much - the Julian Cafe between Castel Sant'Angelo and the Piazza Naona - that he took out his chequebook and bought it for her for 3.5m euros.