A 2025 Finnish court decision marks a decisive shift in the enforcement of EU sanctions against superyachts. By refusing to return Divina Barbara despite the intervention of a nominee owner, the court confirmed that artificially complex offshore structures no longer shield frozen assets. This ruling reflects an emerging European doctrine prioritising effective control and benefit over formal ownership.

France has established itself as a reference player in the management and sale of seized yachts. By structuring genuine judicial expertise — from value preservation to disposals fully compliant with criminal procedures — it turns seizure into a strategic lever of action. The Stefania case illustrates this active, effective and legally controlled approach, which is poised to inspire a European model for the management of maritime assets derived from criminal activity.