The cruise ship MSC Orchestra was unable to enter the port of Marseille on Monday, February 2nd, after access to the harbor was obstructed by protesting sailors engaged in a labor action. The vessel, arriving from Barcelona, was required to remain offshore while the demonstration continued.
French media reported that port operations were disrupted as demonstrators positioned themselves at the harbor entrance, preventing inbound traffic. Port authorities confirmed that MSC Orchestra, which has capacity for more than 3,200 passengers, had not received clearance to enter and was awaiting further instructions while the situation remained unresolved.
The protest forms part of a broader labor dispute within France’s maritime sector. Shipping operators including Corsica Linea and La Méridionale have been targeted by the action, with demonstrators alleging that certain companies are not fully complying with French labor and maritime regulations.
The action has the backing of the CGT union, which has urged government involvement to ensure enforcement of national laws governing employment standards and the use of the French shipping flag. Union representatives maintain that existing practices undermine regulatory compliance, distort competition, and weaken protections for French seafarers.
Reports from French media, citing Agence France-Presse, describe the protest as part of wider efforts by maritime workers to defend domestic shipping standards and working conditions across the sector.
As of the latest updates, port authorities had not provided an indication of when MSC Orchestra would be permitted to dock, nor whether additional cruise operations at Marseille would face further disruption as a result of the ongoing protest.