FMC Proposes $200,000 Fees on Spanish Ships Amid Port Access Dispute

• •FMC proposes $200,000 fees on Spanish vessels due to port access restrictions.
• •U.S.-flagged vessels have diverted to Morocco, drastically reducing calls to Spain.
• •Spain's denial of access relates to military cargo for Israel, impacting trade significantly.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed $200,000 fees on Spanish-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports due to Spain's refusal to allow certain U.S.-flagged ships access since November 2024. This dispute arose when Spain denied port access to U.S. vessels carrying military cargo for Israel, affecting shipping patterns significantly. The FMC's investigation revealed that U.S.-flagged vessels have largely diverted to Moroccan ports, with only six calls made to Spain in 2026 compared to over seven per month before the restrictions. The proposed measures also include potential restrictions on $3.1 billion worth of Spanish imports, including cosmetics and olive oil. Spain defends its actions as compliant with international law, but the FMC has rejected this claim. Public comments are being sought before finalizing the proposed measures.