France will allocate EUR 13 million in 2026 for fuel for fishing vessel owners

The European Commission has approved a French aid program worth €13 million. It is intended to support fishing companies that reported unprofitable operations following the speculative increase in fuel prices following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The blockade of oil exports resulting from the blockage of ships in the Persian Gulf triggered a crisis in oil logistics and a sharp increase in prices. The subsidy program for French fishermen was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF). The Temporary State Aid Framework for the Middle East Crisis (METSAF) was adopted by the Commission on April 29, 2026.

France has notified the Commission that it requires €13 million in support for fishing fleets. Vessel operators and fishing companies will receive subsidies for marine fuel. The program will run until December 31, 2026, but will include costs for April and May 2026. This is the first program approved by the Commission under METSAF.

The European Commission justified its approval of the subsidy for French fishermen by citing the fact that “the current crisis in the Middle East has led to a sharp increase in energy prices, with marine fuel prices rising by over 75% between the end of February and April 2026.”

France justifies the financial aid for fishermen by citing the fact that this has caused “significant economic uncertainty and has seriously impacted sectors heavily dependent on fuel, such as the fishing sector.” The fuel price increase has immediately affected fishermen who purchase fuel on a regular basis. This business model has led to a sharp increase in the operating costs of fishing operations. The profitability of fishing companies has been threatened.

This comes after a strong year in 2025, when the industry regained its financial footing. The fishing sector saw a return to profitability last year. This was achieved despite operators facing stringent catch limits in virtually all waters. Access problems in British fishing grounds also limited the activities of fishing fleets. The French fishing fleet is one of the largest and most diverse in Europe.

EU Fisheries in Numbers
French fishermen also face competition from other fishing fleets operating in EU waters. The EU fleet is diverse. The vast majority of fishing vessels are no longer than 10 meters. A small number of fishermen also fish using fishing vessels exceeding 40 meters, according to Eurostat.

The average size of an EU fishing vessel in 2024 was 18 gross tons, with an average engine power of 73.2 kW. In terms of gross tonnage, Spain had the largest fishing fleet among EU countries (24.8% of the total EU fleet). France, with a 12.3% share, had the second largest fleet, and Italy had the third largest fleet (11.8%). In terms of engine power, Italy dominated with the largest fishing fleet (18.9% of the total EU fleet), followed by France (18.2%), and Spain (14.7%).

It is estimated that several hundred companies, with over 6,000 active fishing vessels, are still engaged in fishing. In 2025, restrictions on fleet development were lifted. However, they continued to operate under pressure from forced reductions in fishing capacity and seasonal port closures. These reductions were justified by the need to limit negative environmental impacts and combat overfishing of key stocks of key species.

Euros for Fishermen
Aid for French fishermen will be granted in the form of direct subsidies. It will depend on the timing and quantity of fuel purchased. Companies will receive a subsidy of €0.20 per liter of purchased fuel from April 1 to 30, 2026. The subsidy has been increased to €0.35 per liter of purchased fuel from May 1 to 31, 2026.

In approving the subsidy, the European Commission linked the French government’s program to EU state aid rules. The basis is, in particular, Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”). It allows Member States to support certain economic activities under certain conditions. The aid is also justified by the provisions of Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF.

Following the sudden increase in oil and gas prices, on April 29, 2026, the European Commission adopted a new state aid framework for EU economies. The aim was “to enable Member States to support the EU economy in the context of the crisis in the Middle East.” The Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework is a “targeted and temporary framework aimed at addressing the effects of the crisis in the most affected sectors.” Therefore, it cannot be applied universally or beyond the end of 2026.

METSAF clearly highlights the sectors eligible for aid. It allows Member States to provide aid to companies in the agriculture, fisheries, and transport sectors. Aid is available for road, rail, inland waterway, and intra-EU short-sea shipping. Shipowners operating in the international market must manage their own costs. This means they will effectively pass on the costs to their customers.

These sectors can count on subsidies “up to 70% of the additional costs resulting from the increase in fuel and fertilizer prices caused by the crisis, verified at the beneficiary level.” The subsidy amount cannot exceed €50,000. It is determined “based on a general estimate of fuel consumption in the sector, taking into account appropriate proxy indicators.”

Źródło: EUROSTAT

Fisheries and others with EU support
METSAF allows for an increase in aid intensity under electricity price reduction programs approved under Section 4.5 of the Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework (CISAF). This provides for an increase in aid “from 50% to 70% of eligible electricity consumption costs.” In this case, there is no need to increase the required decarbonization effort. Aid granted under the ETS State Aid Guidelines will be allowed up to half the amount of aid granted under Section 4.5 of the CISAF programs.

The European Commission has found that the French program complies with the conditions set out in METSAF. Aid to fishing companies will be granted on the basis of a program “with a clearly defined estimated budget, and the aid will be intended to temporarily support the development of primary production of fisheries products.” The program was deemed significant because “it simultaneously safeguards the sector’s contribution to food security at both the national and the regional levels.” “The European Commission found that “the French scheme is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to facilitate the development of economic activities and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.” On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme in accordance with EU state aid rules.

The EU primary fisheries sector employed an estimated 155,000 people, approximately one-third of whom in the aquaculture subsector. In Spain, approximately one-quarter of those employed in the fisheries sector work. The sector is also a significant employer in Italy, Greece, France, and Portugal.