Jobs’ yacht stranded in payment row

The sleek, white superyacht Apple founder Steve Jobs commissioned before his death cannot leave the Netherlands because of a payment dispute, it has emerged.

Jobs collaborated on designing the 78.2-metre aluminium vessel Venus with French designer Philippe Starck.

But reports in the Netherlands said Mr Starck hired a debt collection agency and got a legal order to keep the boat from leaving.

Port of Amsterdam spokesman Jeroen Ranzijn confirmed that the boat has been in the harbour since 8 December, and will not leave until the civil dispute is resolved.

According to reports, Mr Starck had only been paid six million euros (£4.9m) by Jobs’ heirs, but believed he was owed nine million euros. The boat cost €105m.