From Frozen Yachts to Maritime Justice: Four Paths to Break the Deadlock

Superyachts frozen under international sanctions are condemned to immobility and decay. This article outlines four concrete legal solutions to move beyond paralysis and transform frozen yachts into useful, responsible assets within a maritime justice framework. Frozen yachts maritime justic

Here are four concrete avenues to move these frozen situations towards a form of confiscation that is useful, responsible… and meaningful.chts gelés justice maritime

The yacht Amore Vero 85.6m / 280'10 | Oceanco | 2013

1. Building a legal bridge between sanctions and criminal law

Today, freezing measures prevent use but do not transfer ownership. Criminal confiscation, by contrast, does.

Why not open an autonomous investigation as early as the sanctions phase? Identifying the UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner), tracing the financing: if sufficient indicators exist, the path toward criminal seizure is open.Frozen yachts maritime justice

2. Activating international criminal cooperation

Offences are often transnational.

A yacht frozen in Marseille could be confiscated in Milan, London or Paris, depending on which jurisdiction proves most effective — provided that investigative services, magistrates and judicial authorities cooperate without obstruction.

3. Relying on non-conviction based confiscation (NCBC)

   
   

This procedure exists in several countries and, since 2022, also in France. It allows the confiscation of assets of criminal origin even in the absence of a conviction of the owner.

Yes, it is disruptive. But it is extremely effective in cases of economic and financial crime.

When it is known that an asset is the proceeds of crime, must one really wait for an impossible conviction?

4. Creating a specific judicial administration status

   
   

Managing a yacht is not improvised. It is necessary to move away from the one-size-fits-all administration model — “seized car / Hermès bag / Rolex watch”:

• Create a 7th flag, under the supervision of the French International Register (RIF), to provide a legal framework for managing these “out-of-the-ordinary” vessels

• Establish a Department for Confiscated Maritime Assets

• Entrust management to yachting professionals, trained in seizure, administration… and disposal

Conclusion

Breaking the deadlock requires articulating criminal law, international cooperation and legal innovation.

Behind every immobile hull lies a strategic value, ready to fund public, humanitarian or environmental policies.

Still, one must dare to transform freezing measures… into active maritime justice.

Frozen Yachts & Maritime Justice: Read the article on LinkedIn