PARIS – France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot revealed Friday that 60 French vessels remain stranded in Middle Eastern waters as regional tensions continue to disrupt maritime traffic.
The ships are distributed between two critical waterways, with the majority trapped in Persian Gulf waters while others remain stuck in the Red Sea corridor. French officials are maintaining regular communication with crew members aboard the affected vessels.
“There are around fifty ships – 52 to be precise – in the Persian Gulf and eight in the Red Sea, and we are also in permanent contact with the crews, as there are French sailors aboard a number of these vessels,” Tabarot stated during an interview with French media outlets CNews and Europe 1.
The announcement comes as France works to establish an international alliance aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes through the volatile region. The initiative seeks to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic amid escalating Middle Eastern conflicts that have severely impacted global shipping operations.
