MSC Orchestra Held Offshore as Marseille Protest Blocks Port

MSC Orchestra was unable to enter the port of Marseille yesterday after protesting maritime workers blocked access to the harbor entrance as part of an ongoing labor action.

French media reported that the ship, arriving from Barcelona, was forced to remain at sea while the demonstration continued. A spokesperson for the Port of Marseille confirmed that the vessel, which is carrying more than 3,200 passengers, was still waiting for permission to dock as the situation had not yet been resolved.

The protest is tied to wider labor tensions within France’s maritime industry. Demonstrators have focused their criticism on operators such as Corsica Linea and La Méridionale, accusing them of not fully respecting French maritime and labor regulations.

The CGT union, which is supporting the action, is urging the government to step in and ensure that national laws are properly enforced. Union officials say the dispute centers on employment standards and the use of the French shipping flag, arguing that current practices create unfair competition and undermine protections for French seafarers.

French reports, citing Agence France-Presse (AFP), noted that the protest reflects broader efforts by maritime workers to defend domestic shipping rules and safeguard working conditions.

As of publication, port officials had not provided a timeline for when MSCOrchestra would be allowed to dock, or whether further cruise operations could face disruption if the protest continues.