By Stephane Mahe and Inti Landauro NANTES, France, April 7 (Reuters) - Around 18% of French petrol stations are currently facing fuel supply shortages, the government said on Tuesday, while rising
18% of French Petrol Stations Face Supply Shortages as Truckers Protest
By Stephane Mahe and Inti Landauro
Fuel Supply Shortages and Economic Impact in France
NANTES, France, April 7 (Reuters) - Around 18% of French petrol stations are currently facing fuel supply shortages, the government said on Tuesday, while rising prices at the pump prompted some drivers in western France to block a road in a sign of rumbling discontent.
Global Oil Supply Crunch and Price Surge
As the U.S.-Israeli-led war on Iran enters its sixth week, a supply crunch on oil deliveries has led to a surge in crude and fuel prices in many parts of the world.
French Government Response and TotalEnergies' Role
Internal Logistical Problems and Price Freezes
Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said the shortages in France were only due to internal logistical problems and not related to fallout from the war. She said a decision by French oil major TotalEnergies to freeze fuel prices, keeping them below those of their rivals, had led drivers to rush to fill up at Total stations, straining supply.
TotalEnergies' Pricing Strategy
Total said on Tuesday it was maintaining a ceiling of 1.99 euros/litre for unleaded petrol in April but increasing the cap on diesel to 2.25 euros/litre, bringing its diesel prices closer in line with other retailers. It said its diesel price cap would be lower for its retail electricity and gas customers.
Government Support Measures
Targeted Financial Relief
France has opted for support measures to ease the impact of surging oil prices, targeted at the sectors most in need. They include over 70 million euros ($80.91 million) in fuel subsides for the transport, farming and fishing industries for April, additional benefits for low-income households to help pay energy bills and loans for small businesses.
Public Response and Protests
Comparison to the Yellow Vests Movement
The country has yet to experience anything like the 2018-19 Yellow Vests movement, when a hike in diesel taxes sparked nationwide protests that morphed into a months-long public revolt against President Emmanuel Macron's leadership.
Recent Truckers' Roadblock in Nantes
Nevertheless, some truckers and drivers set up a roadblock in Nantes, western France, on Tuesday to highlight their concerns.
Voices from the Ground
"If things don't change, I'm afraid — we're all afraid — I fear a wave of layoffs in the coming months. It's becoming very difficult for some companies," said Charlotte Lucas, an entrepreneur involved in construction projects.
"We already had terrible weather at the beginning of the year. And now we have this problem with rising diesel and non-road diesel prices. That's having an impact on our cash flow, which isn't exactly abundant right now," she added.
Additional Information
($1 = 0.8651 euros)
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Stephane Mahe;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Gabriel Stargardter and Susan Fenton)
