Protests over high fuel costs continued across southern Italy on 19 October, with disruption increasingly affecting the movement and distribution of goods.

The action began across several southern regions, including Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily. On 16 October, local news reported that hauliers were positioned around key roads, motorway exits and port areas.

A key road exit on the Caserta-Salerno connection was temporarily closed in both directions, while hundreds of trucks travelled between Brindisi and Bari.

In Calabria, a union organised around 15 protest points near locations including Lamezia Terme airport and the port of Gioia Tauro.

Reports mentioned that the action in the past few days involved approximately 400 vehicles. The vehicles involve trucks, other heavy vehicles and tractors were also continuing in Sicily and Puglia.

In Sicily, demonstrators blocked outgoing trucks at the entrance to Palermo's Santa Lucia pier and ships were not being unloaded.

The latest news also reveal the wider effect of the protests on goods distribution.

Some service stations had run out of fuel, while supermarkets were starting to face shortages of various products, particularly fresh goods.

Farms and producers were also dealing with blocked deliveries and the risk of losses involving harvests and perishable products.

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini has brought forward a meeting with haulier representatives to 20 October.

However, the demonstrations have not been ended ahead of the meeting, with their continuation also dependent on the outcome of the talks.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact your local Kuehne+Nagel representative.