Russian merchant ships lying abroad remained Soviet property according to the Secret Admiralty Weekly Intelligence Summary Nr. 35 for the week ending 3 September 1921

An item referred to a statement of the Soviet Foreign Commissary reporting that all Russian merchant ships including the ones of the Volunteer Fleet lying in foreign harbours (especially French Mediterranean harbours) were property of the Soviet Union and that permission was needed for chancing hands or chartering.

Source

The National Archives CAB-24-127-89. Secret Admiralty Weekly Intelligence Summary Nr. 35 for the week ending 3 September 1921.