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A twenty-four hour strike is expected take place at the port of Marseille today, where workers will protest against government plans to privatise loading activities at state-run ports.

France's national port union has called on workers to carry out a series of twenty-four hour strikes on a weekly basis as it continues its protest against the government's privatisation plans. Disruption at the Marseille port since April 17 has already lead to a total financial loss of 650,000 Euros, according to recent estimates by the Port of Marseille Authority.

On Tuesday, 14 oil tankers were prevented from entering the Fos-Lavera oil terminal, which supplies crude to eight refineries in southern France with a total production capacity of around 800,000 barrels per day. Eight crude oil tankers and six vessels carrying refined products were said to have been affected by the protest, according to the port. One gas tanker and three chemical tankers were also blocked from entering the terminal.

The Fos-Lavera oil and gas terminal is the world's third biggest port for oil products with 64.2 million tonnes transiting per year.