A major development in efforts to sell the Alfa Nero

There has been a major breakthrough in the government’s efforts to sell the super
yacht, Alfa Nero which the Antigua and Barbuda government acquired after it was
abandoned here for over a year.
The country’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Sir Ronald Sanders,
announced on Tuesday that bidders in the government’s auction to sell the Alfa
Nero, no longer require a separate license from the Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury to bid or be the eventual owner of the vessel.
OFAC has advised the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that bidders would no
longer need to seek a separate license since the specific license, issued to the
government of Antigua and Barbuda, authorizes U.S. persons and others to
participate in an auction subject to the terms and conditions of the license.
Ambassador Sanders said that OFAC has emphasised that the license does not
authorize the sale of the vessel to persons who are otherwise blocked by OFAC
regulations.
He added that “Consequently, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is pursuing
intense due diligence on each of the bidders, including evidence of beneficial
owners, source of funds, and whether or not they appear on a sanctions list.” He
said that “in the course of our due diligence the names of potential bidders are
being shared with key law enforcement agencies internationally.”
Sir Ronald said that “This latest step by OFAC is a welcome development because
it relieves potential bidders of the further expense of getting a separate license and
it advances the completion of the necessary steps for holding the auction.” He
remarked that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has enjoyed beneficial
cooperation from many agencies of the U.S. Government in this matter, which is
greatly appreciated.”