A yacht owned by tragic Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has been impounded in Amsterdam due to an outstanding bill.

Ship designer Philippe Starck claims the technology icon promised to pay him six per cent of the boat's construction costs, but Jobs passed away before a formal contract could be drafted.

Starck alleges it took him $198 million to make and is owed $12 million for his work, but the late star's family has disputed the price, insisting he is only entitled to $8 million.

Now he has obtained a court order in the Netherlands requiring relatives to pay the difference of $4 million - or else the luxury item will remain chained to a local dock, according to TMZ.

Jobs lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in October 2011.