US probes Spain’s alleged refusal of cargo vessels transporting arms to Israel.

WASHINGTON — An investigation has been initiated by the United States regarding allegations that Spain, a NATO ally, has been preventing cargo ships believed to be carrying U.S. arms from docking at its ports.

The Federal Maritime Commission, which operates independently to assess conditions impacting shipping and international trade for the U.S., confirmed the commencement of this investigation following reports indicating that Spain had barred at least three cargo vessels from entering its ports.

In a statement published in the Federal Register on Thursday, the commission voiced its concerns over what appears to be a systematic policy of restricting access for specific vessels, suggesting that such actions could result in unfavorable conditions for shipping in foreign trade.

Should the findings of the investigation reveal that Spain has indeed obstructed commercial activities, the commission has the authority to impose hefty fines, potentially amounting to $2.3 million for each voyage affected.

The commission’s notice revealed that it was informed on November 19 about Spain’s denial of port access to certain ships, including those part of the U.S.-managed Maritime Security Program, which is designed to protect vessels used frequently by the U.S. military from restrictive and discriminatory practices.

Out of the three documented incidents referenced by the commission, two pertained to ships operated by Maersk, the Danish shipping conglomerate, in November, while the third incident was recorded in May.

So far, Spanish authorities have not provided any comments regarding the incidents from November. However, back in May, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced that the government had denied a docking request for the Danish-flagged ship Marianne Danica, citing its cargo of weapons destined for Israel.

Just a day later, on May 17, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares mentioned during an interview with RTVE, a state-run broadcaster, that this denial marked the first instance of a vessel carrying arms to Israel being turned away.

Albares further noted, “We are not going to contribute to any more arms reaching the Middle East. The Middle East needs peace. This first refusal of authorization will initiate a policy regarding any vessel carrying arms to Israel that attempts to dock at a Spanish port.”

The decision to block the Marianne Danica from docking at the Mediterranean port of Cartagena occurred shortly before Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, officially recognized a Palestinian state on May 28.

Moreover, in October 2023, Spain halted its own defense companies from shipping arms to Israel, marking a significant shift in its arms-export policy.