The release shows France is using financial penalties and temporary immobilisation—rather than prolonged detention—to enforce sanctions at sea, creating a predictable “pay-to-exit” cost for operators transiting near French waters. Tanker owners, charterers, and insurers moving Russian-origin cargoes face higher near-term operating costs from potential port diversion, multi-week delays, and fines. The action also signals increased enforcement risk in the Mediterranean approaches to Marseille/Fos-sur-Mer for vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet.”