Tourists stranded on popular European island as all cruise ships and ferries stopped

Fishermen have blocked access to all of Corsica’s ports since the early hours of Tuesday (April 7) to protest the increase in the price of tax-exempt fuel. Since 6am, boats have been positioned across the ports of Ajaccio, Bastia, Propriano, Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, meaning no boats or ships can leave or enter the French island via the sea.

The blockade, organised by Corsican fishermen, aims to protest the rise in fuel prices, linked to the war in the Middle East. “It’s a decision that was made a few days ago so we could coordinate,” Philippe Botti, a fisherman in Bonifacio, told Corse Matin. “Here, there are four or five of us, in Ajaccio there are about 20.” Off the coast of the island capital, among the blockaded vessels are the Paglia Orba of Corsica Linea, coming from Marseille, the Mega Regina of Corsica Ferries, coming from Toulon, and the 4,300-guest Princess Cruises ship, the Sun Princess. Around 10 fishing boats are blocking the passage.

The French government’s €0.20 discount per litre of diesel has reportedly failed to convince industry professionals, who consider the measure inadequate in the face of soaring fuel prices following the first US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. In retaliation, Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes.

Industry professionals have cited higher operational costs and a total dependence on fuel to maintain their businesses. The average price of a litre of tax-exempt fishing diesel was €1.09 on April 2, compared to only €0.64 on March 2, according to the Amarree fuel observatory.

The local fishermen have also denounced the price difference between Corsica and mainland France, which persists despite multiple protests.

“This has to stop!” Mr Botti added. “We must align ourselves with national prices.”

While the majority of Corsica’s ports remain closed, L’Île-Rousse was reopened at 8.20am local time. About 10 fishing boat captains from the ports of Balagne blocked the commercial port where the Corsica Linea was expected at 7am. The ship was finally docked at 8.45am, meaning its passengers and cargo disembarked the ferry around two hours late.

While the Corsican prefecture, which has requested that the blockade be lifted, has reportedly indicated willingness to receive a delegation of fishermen on Wednesday in the presence of MPs. However, for now, the fishermen do not wish to lift the blockade without assurances of a memorandum of understanding.

“If it’s just empty promises, it’s not worth it. For now, we won’t budge,” Joseph Sanna, secretary of the Corsican Fishermen’s Union said.

“The sooner we get back to work, the better!” a fisherman from Ajaccio, right in the heart of the blockade added. “If we can’t work, there’s no income. We’ve had a great weather window all week, the winter was disastrous, and the fishermen are broke today.

“Someone’s making a killing, and we don’t know where. We’re aware that everyone is affected by the international situation – the price of gasoline is rising everywhere in the world, but we’re doubly impacted.

“Why do we pay €0.50 more for tax-free gasoline in Corsica than on the mainland? It’s becoming impossible.”

Some professionals have expressed concern about how long the blockade will last and its economic impacts: “We’ll organise ourselves if it has to last,” another fisherman added. “Some will work, others will go and maintain the blockade.”

A Brit on holiday in Corsica, who is due to travel with Corsica Ferries later this evening, told the Express she currently has no idea whether they will be able to get home on Tuesday and get back in time for work tomorrow.