Italy Approves Aid for Truckers and Fishermen to Halt Fuel Price Protests

Protests over the sharp rise in fuel prices in Italy blocked roads and caused shortages of products such as pasta, buffalo mozzarella and fresh produce in stores. After the approval of a decree providing aid to truckers on October 22, most of the blockades in the south of the country were lifted, although protests persisted at the Port of Naples and on ferries to the islands.

On October 22, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a decree-law granting 10 million euros ($11.2 million) in non-repayable subsidies for fishing companies. The aid covers 10 percent of fuel expenses incurred between June 1 and October 15, 2026, in response to demands from shipowners.

Since October 21, fishing vessels from Adriatic ports such as Termoli, Pescara and Ancona remained moored in protest over the price of diesel and EU regulations that, according to operators, reduce the number of permitted fishing days. According to the ANSA news agency, fuel accounts for more than 60 percent of operating costs in some fishing operations, and a medium-sized trawler consuming around 180,000 liters a year saw its annual diesel spending rise from 144,000 euros to 189,000 euros. In Termoli, the port's only fuel supplier ran out of diesel, while road blockades prevented the delivery of fresh fish from Molise to Campania. In Pescara, the 45 local trawlers remained in port on October 22, with fishing diesel priced at 1.17 euros per liter.

Doriano Camplone, president of a local fishermen's professional association, warned that the sector was prepared to move from a peaceful stoppage to more forceful action if the government failed to respond. The organization Confcooperative Agroalimentare e Pesca stated that the subsidy funds would arrive within 35 days of the measure's approval. This aid comes on top of an earlier tax credit of another 10 million euros for fuel purchases made between March and May.

Despite the lifting of most trucker blockades in southern Italy following the aid decree, protests continued to affect access to the Port of Naples and ferries to the islands. Truckers warned they could resume action if a meeting scheduled for October 27 with Transport Minister Matteo Salvini fails to satisfy them.