Corsican Fishermen Keep Major Ports Blocked Over Fuel Costs

Overview

• The blockade, which began Tuesday, remains in place Thursday with nine ships and their passengers stuck across the island, according to the prefecture.
• Fishermen demand price parity with mainland France, arguing a roughly €0.30-per‑liter island premium and an only ~€0.20 discount leave them at a loss, with leaders citing a gap that feels like €0.50 once costs are counted.
• The prefecture called for an immediate lifting of the blockades and set a 2:30 p.m. roundtable, warning that refusing orders to clear port areas can draw fines of up to €20,000.
• Organizers kept Propriano and L’Île‑Rousse open for vital deliveries such as medicines, while key hubs like Ajaccio and Bastia stayed shut and counts showed vessels held at Bonifacio, Porto‑Vecchio, Ajaccio and Bastia.
• Travelers have faced long delays and canceled calls, including a cruise ship and gas and cement carriers, and farmers from the Via Campagnola union joined with land actions that could widen the disruption if talks fail.