Tag: superyacht

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.