French fishermen blockade ports and fuel depots over rising diesel costs

French fishermen are conducting a series of coordinated protests and blockades across the Mediterranean coast to protest soaring diesel prices and increasing administrative burdens. The unrest has targeted strategic locations, including the port of Nice, the port of Sète, and a petroleum depot in Frontignan. In Nice, the blockade of the port entrance disrupted maritime traffic, forcing a Corsica Ferries vessel to divert to Savona, Italy.

In Frontignan and Fos-sur-Mer, demonstrators blocked access to fuel depots, occasionally using fires to create barricades. The protesters argue that the rising cost of fuel, which has approached historic highs of over 2.38 euros per liter, has made their operations unprofitable. Industry representatives have expressed that diesel costs now represent a disproportionate share of their turnover.

In response to the mounting pressure, the French government has proposed extending fuel subsidies for certain sectors until the end of the year. Fishermen are seeking an increase in these aids from 25 to 35 cents per liter, reaching the maximum allowed by European Union regulations. Representatives of the fishing industry met with the Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, in Paris to negotiate further relief and address the economic viability of the sector.