Italy adopted emergency measures after fuel crisis and transport blockages
The Italian government on October 22 approved an emergency aid package of 175.2 million euros for road hauliers, agricultural and fishing enterprises. The decision comes after widespread protests against the rising cost of diesel fuel, which disrupted food supplies, port operations and filling station deliveries in the southern regions of the country.
This was announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Details of the approved measures were also published by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
The main part of the new funding – 105.2 million euros – is earmarked for road hauliers. Another 60 million euros will go to agricultural enterprises, and 10 million euros will be allocated to the fishing industry.
Additional funds for transport companies will be distributed in two areas:
- 45.2 million euros – increased funding for tax refunds on diesel fuel purchased from March to August 2026. The total volume of the relevant programme will reach approximately 480 million euros.
- 60 million euros – compensation for fuel costs for the period from 1 September to 5 October 2026.
According to Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi, the first tax refunds will become available to companies as early as next week. Initially, support will be provided to about two thousand companies, and the programme is designed for approximately 32 thousand hauliers.
For small transport enterprises, a deferral of leasing payments is also provided. Companies will be able to postpone until 31 March 2027 payments for vehicles due from November 2026 to March 2027. This measure is intended to help hauliers preserve working capital.
The government also intends to change the terms of certain transport contracts to take into account the increase in the cost of diesel fuel when calculating payment for transport services.
Separate measures are provided for agriculture. Enterprises will receive non-repayable compensation for fuel costs of up to 45 euro cents per litre. According to government calculations, the allocated 60 million euros will be enough to support the purchase of approximately 121 million litres of agricultural fuel.
Fishing enterprises will receive 10 million euros to partially offset the rise in fuel prices. The increase in costs has already forced some fishing vessel owners to temporarily suspend operations in Adriatic Sea ports.
The emergency measures have been adopted amid serious disruptions in the logistics of southern Italy. As Rai News reports, protesting hauliers blocked motorways, access roads to oil refineries, distribution centres and seaports.
The most difficult situation has developed in Campania, Calabria, Apulia and Sicily. Due to delivery delays, shortages of certain food products, primarily fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products, have arisen in supermarkets.
Filling stations were also affected by disruptions. In some areas, difficulties arose with fuel delivery because trucks could not reach oil depots and distribution terminals in time.
In the Naples area, protesters blocked access roads to port infrastructure. The disruption of truck traffic created additional problems for enterprises dependent on daily supplies of raw materials and finished products.
After negotiations with the government, some haulier associations agreed to suspend their actions. In particular, movement began to recover in Sicily and Calabria. However, in Campania and some other southern regions, the blockades had not fully ceased as of 22 October.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the authorities intend to simultaneously support businesses and ensure the free movement of freight transport. She instructed the Ministry of the Interior to take measures to restore supplies of food and other essential goods.
Law enforcement agencies have already organized escorts for truck drivers who wish to continue working despite the protests. The authorities also warned of possible liability for illegally blocking roads.
The government measures are expected to reduce the financial burden on transport and agricultural enterprises. However, Italian consumer organisations expressed concern that the mechanism for revising transport costs may lead to the transfer of part of the additional expenses to transport service customers and final buyers.
