Paris, March 6, 2026 – The Europe Today: A total of 52 French ships are currently blocked in the Arabian Gulf, while eight others are stranded in the Red Sea, France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said, as Paris moves to form an international coalition aimed at securing maritime traffic in the region.
According to media reports, Tabarot said French authorities are maintaining constant contact with the crews of the affected vessels, noting that several ships have French sailors on board.
He emphasized that the French government is closely monitoring the situation and working with international partners to ensure the safety and security of vital shipping routes.
The French minister added that Paris is actively seeking to build a coalition of countries to help safeguard maritime navigation in the region amid rising geopolitical tensions and security concerns affecting global trade routes.
The developments come as heightened instability in the broader Middle East continues to disrupt commercial shipping and raise concerns over the safety of international maritime corridors.
