Geopolitics has transformed the way you sail into the sea. From a life experience aboard your boat, to an increasingly costly and limited alternative, the Mediterranean has become an area where decisions of governments and powers directly affect the life of the yachters. Franco Pivoli, former Olympic sailor and historic collaborator of the Giornale della Vela, tells how the wars, sanctions and economic crisis have modified the costs, routes and availability of the ports, making the boat holidays an increasingly complex experience.
The consequences of wars and sanctions
The war in Ukraine has had direct effects on the boat market. European sanctions have frozen the properties of Russian citizens, including yachts and boats. Some yachts have been seized or subjected to restrictions, while others have poured into Turkey, causing an exponential increase in the prices of marinas. In Trieste, for example, was seized the gigantic yacht of Abramovich, an event that made the crowded Turkish ports and inaccessible prices. For a sailor like Pivoli, who sails quietly for the Mediterranean, this situation has led to an increase in the costs of mooring and a change of course.
The war between Israel and Hamas also had direct consequences in Greece. The presence of Israeli soldiers in Crete caused protests and demonstrations, leading to a shift of destinations to Rhodes. The New Marina, a port of Rhodes, was purchased by Israeli investors, although information on the operation is not entirely clear. The tide of 2025 damaged the drill dam, causing the shipwreck of five boats and a wave of Israeli investments. The city port of Mandraki, which housed the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, became impractical, forcing the diportists to turn to higher costs.
The distant war and its effects
Not only have wars in Europe and the Middle East changed the port market, but also US military interventions against Iran have had effects on the price of oil. The cost of the fuel increased from 1,80 to 2,40 euros per liter, causing an increase in costs for the diportisti. Also the rental of scooters and cars has gone up, making life at sea more and more expensive. The war, thousands of kilometers away, arrives on time to present the account.
The Red Sea, which once was an ideal destination for boat holidays, has become impractical for a quiet sailing. The Caribbean, although an alternative, have its own challenges: leaving the boat for nine months exposed to the sun and the wind can cause irreparable damage. The question that arises every diportista is: where to go? Geopolitics has made the sea a Biblical area, where decisions of governments and powers directly influence the life of those who navigate. For Pivoli, who lives on board his Grand Soleil 45 Ulysses, this situation has made life at sea increasingly complex, but has never stopped loving the sea.
Life at sea is no longer just a matter of wind and weather conditions, but also of geopolitical.
Geopolitics has made the sea a Biblical area, where decisions of governments and powers directly influence the life of those who navigate.