France confirms 52 vessels are stuck in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea as it seeks a coalition to secure shipping lanes.

PARIS: France’s transport minister has confirmed that 52 French ships are currently blocked in the Persian Gulf. An additional eight vessels are stranded in the Red Sea.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot revealed the figures during an interview with broadcaster CNews/Europe 1. He stated that authorities are in permanent contact with the crews of the affected vessels.

The announcement comes as Paris seeks to build an international coalition. The goal is to secure shipping traffic in the region amid heightened tensions.

“There are around fifty ships – 52 to be precise – in the Persian Gulf and eight in the Red Sea, and we are also in permanent contact with the crews, as there are French sailors aboard a number of these vessels,” Tabarot said.

The minister did not specify the exact nature of the blockage or the specific conflict causing the disruption. The situation underscores the significant impact on maritime trade and French nationals working at sea.

 The Sun Malaysia