A fishermen's blockade of a number of French ports is reported to be spreading tonight, with the prospect of further disruption for cross-Channel ferry services. Le Havre was due to join the blockade from midnight French time. The action by the fishermen, who are protesting at high fuel prices, has already affected the ports of Calais, Boulogne, Dunkirk, St Malo and Cherbourg.
Dover-based P&O Stena Line sought an injunction against the protesters in a court in Boulogne but a spokesman said the situation was a little unclear and there would be further discussions with the court in the morning. Irish Ferries has re-routed its outward sailing to Brest to get around the blockade. The vessel, Normandy, which arrived in Rosslare from Roscoff nine hours behind schedule, later sailed for Brest. It is due there at 3.00pm.
Brittany Ferries, which operates between Cork and Roscoff, has said that its next departure is not scheduled to leave Roscoff until Friday night. However, its services between the UK and France are being disrupted by the blockage of the French ports.
