When Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko commissioned Motor Yacht A, he wanted a vessel that would redefine luxury yachting. Designed by Philippe Starck and built by German shipyard Blohm+Voss, the futuristic superyacht quickly became one of the most recognisable private vessels in the world. But instead of making headlines solely for its radical design, it became the centre of one of the most unusual legal battles in maritime history. Dissatisfied with the yacht's glossy finish, Melnichenko sued Dutch paint manufacturer AkzoNobel for more than $100 million, claiming the vessel failed to achieve the mirror-like shine he had been promised.
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