Asteria Advisory – News & Updates

Sanctioned Russian Oligarch wins right to use yacht on the French Riviera

A sanctioned Russian oligarch has won the right to use his yacht on the French Riviera. Rather, he has successfully challenged French customs due to a number of errors made in the procedure when they boarded the yacht.

Originally published in 2022, this article discusses the legal complexities around asset control and EU sanctions. As of 2025, such cases remain highly relevant in the evolving landscape of international law and yacht management.

The EU sanctions apply across EU member states. French customs authorities are reported to have failed to follow the correct procedures. The court ordered the release of the yacht.

Read the article here.

A superyacht lies at anchor. Image taken from stock - (C) Shutterstock
A superyacht – image from stock.

Legal professionals from different parts of the world have argued that individuals facing such sanctions should succeed in these challenges. Assets are being seized without due process of law. Further, these seizures are taking effect without following any proper court process.

Clearly, there could be a deprivation of the right to one’s own property, without the proper court case to establish whether anyone has committed a crime.

These actions, merely on the basis that an individual has links to (in this case) the Russian government, appear to constitute a right about turn from the fundamental human right to property. This is arguable. The use of wealth to continue to back up the atrocities of war remains worrying. Sanctions of this type might be the only way to stop this practice.

Asteria Advisory’s services include ship & yacht registration, and management & representatation for yachts. We also provide legal support on a more general basis.

Malta Maritime Summit

Originally published in 2016 during the first time I attended the Malta Maritime Summit. These reflections remain relevant today as Malta continues to position itself at the forefront of maritime innovation and regulation.

I was invited to speak about seafarers and yachting at the biennial conference, the Malta Maritime Summit, 2022.

This is the forum where players in the maritime industry can bring matters of importance to the attention of the authorities and propose a way forward.

It is the third time that this biennial event is being organised. It is being held in the first week of October 2022. I was only invited last week, during the Monaco Yacht Show. It was a really nice surprise and the referral came through a dear colleague and friend.

Themed “The Voice of the Industry”, this event will host prominent and influential maritime stakeholders who will be debating maritime concerns and challenges facing the various sectors including the post-COVID reality, technology, environment and finance.

These discussions include, in particular, the training needs of seafarers and of the yachting industry. The work of seafarers in yachting has come under the spotlight during recent times: many professionals do not believe that the current training formats are sufficiently set up to cater for the very specialised world that is yachting. Those working onboard yachts are set for an entirely different experience from seafarers in shipping. We shall see why – and explore solutions – during the panel session in which I am involved.

I have been training seafarers since late 2009, but most of my trainees have been geared towards the shipping world. In yachting, there is an entirely different set of needs – both in terms of formal training as well as the human side of skills.

The subject I shall be speaking on refers to the changing training needs of seafarers, particularly in the yachting industry. The industry also has its needs: the yacht owner needs to be assured of the training of the crew he employs onboard this very expensive asset. Lives are still at stake and it is important to ensure that crew are properly trained up for the job.

The Malta Maritime Summit will include a discussion panel on exactly this topic.

Since 2016, the Malta Maritime Summit has evolved into a key forum for dialogue on international shipping, policy, and sustainability. Asteria Advisory remains committed to supporting maritime businesses navigating this dynamic sector. Check out our ship & yacht registration or our management & representation services.

Operation Pedestal – 80th Anniversary Celebrations

Operation Pedestal 1942 is an historic – and heroic – World War II Allied operation, commemorated yearly in Malta. Therefore, veterans come together to remember the bravery of all those merchant seafarers, and naval and other military and civilian personnel who successfully delivered much-needed supplies to the tiny island of Malta.

Dr Geraldine Spiteri holds a wreath on behalf of the Nautical Institute


Santa Maria Convoy

In Malta, the operation is known as Il-Konvoj ta’ Santa Maria (Santa Maria Convoy). This is because it coincides with the feast of the Blessed Virgin, on the 15th of August.

The Italians, who at that time were part of the Axis forces, refer to Operation Pedestal as the “Mid-August Battle” (Battaglia di Mezz’Agosto).

The most crucial cargo during Operation Pedestal was fuel. The fuel was onboard the SS Ohio, an American tanker, manned by a British crew.

The convoy sailed from Britain on the 3 August 1942 and passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean on the night of 9/10 August. The Axis forces pursued the convoy, causing tremendous losses to the Allied fleet with an estimated loss of over 500 seamen.

The convoy suffered many losses and only five of fourteen merchant ships that originally set sail on the convoy actually reached Malta.

A patrol boat of the Armed Forces of Malta Maritime Squadron sits at berth in preparation for Operation Pedestal

Operation Pedestal Reaches Malta

Despite being costly for the Allies, Operation Pedestal was a great victory, specifically because of Malta’s strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

The victory allowed the Allied forces to eventually take control of North Africa and prepare for the invasion of Sicily.

Every year, the Royal Navy Association (Malta GC Branch) holds a commemorative service to remember this landmark event.

The celebrations involve the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), the Royal Navy Officers’ Association (Malta), Representatives from the British High Commission in Malta and other dignitaries.

Celebrating 80 Years

During the 80th Anniversary celebrations, the President of Malta made a formal address for the occasion. Later, the the Chancellor of the Anglican Church in Malta and a representative Chaplain of the Catholic Church in Malta offered prayers.

A wreath-laying ceremony ensued, during which dignitaries laid wreaths at sea from the bow of the P23, a patrol vessel of the Maritime Squadron of the AFM.

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta played the bagpipes and fired a gun salute as a sign of respect to the fallen. Members of the Royal Navy Officers Association (Malta) and the RNA Malta (GC Branch) carried their Association flags and wore their medals, while the family members of the last surviving crew member of the SS Ohio also attended.

Dr Geraldine Spiteri throws a wreath into the Grand Harbour during Operation Pedestal


The Nautical Institute (Malta Branch)

The Nautical Institute (Malta Branch), represented by the Branch Chairperson, Dr Geraldine Spiteri, was present at this ceremony celebrated on the 11 th of August.

The event was held at Pinto 3 Terminal, at the Valletta Grand Harbour Waterfront. This year, alongside the 80th Anniversary of Operation Pedestal, the Nautical Institute celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

The wreaths prepared to be laid in Grand Harbour for Operation Pedestal 80

Armed Forces of Malta - Maritime Squadron standing to salute with their bayonets at Operation Pedestal - 80th Anniversary.

MBR Publishes Regulatory Amendments

Act LX of 2021 introduces various amendments to the Companies Act, to take into account the EU’s Digitalisation Directive (which deals with electronic filings).

Additional duties are imposed on the Registrar of Companies and certain additional requirements are put into place for companies. Additional forms needed to be drawn up. The rules also provide for the appointment of directors and disqualification criteria.

A person applying to be appointed as director of a company is required to sign the Memorandum of the company or to submit a declaration in writing to show explicit consent to be appointed director and to declare whether they are aware of any circumstances that could lead to his or her disqualification, both under Maltese law and under any of the laws of other EU Member States.

Therefore, Form K has now been revamped. It includes a second part which a director uses to signify his or her consent to the appointment. Form K(1) is used for that declaration to be made when a director is being appointed for newly-formed companies.

These forms shall be accepted as of the 01 February 2022.

More on this link: Legislative amendments introduced by Act LX of 2021 – Malta Business Registry (mbr.mt)

Europe celebrates Justice Day!

The 25th October saw Europe celebrate European Day of Justice. This annual date marks mark Europe’s commitment to delivering justice in its work.

Justice needs to be brought closer to citizens. The aim is to inform Europeans about their rights and to to promote the work of the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the field of justice. Events include simulation of procedures and information sessions.

16 Member States have mobilised this celebration. Activities included free legal aid to citizens on their rights, open days at the courts and dissemination of information. Some States established social platforms for the general public to ask questions. Other entities have published books, films and other materials.

Training and information sessions for justice professionals and students also took place in many States. A high number of law students participated in competitions held at their universities and colleges.

Malta’s initative

The Maltese courts marked this day by bringing to the citizens’ attention easy access to the progress of cases through the E-Courts system, which is now also accessible on a smartphone platform.

The e-courts platform allows citizens to monitor the progress of their cases, including sitting dates, through an online system.

The online services also includes the Insolvency Register, payment of fines, searches on judicial sales being held and hall usage, which allows citizens to know which hall their sitting is being heard in.

It is also possible to get mobile notifications of court matters relevant to the person applying, and to pay court registry fees.