US threatens Spanish ships with $200,000 fee per voyage
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The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed a $200,000 fee on Spanish-flagged vessels entering American ports, escalating a dispute over Spain’s refusal to grant port access to US ships participating in a government-backed maritime security program.
The proposal, announced on Oct. 14, 2026, follows an investigation launched in December 2024 into restrictions affecting US vessels operating under the Maritime Security Program (MSP). The regulator is considering further measures targeting Spanish imports, potentially extending the dispute beyond shipping into industries worth billions of dollars in annual trade.
Although the measures remain proposals, their introduction could affect vessel operations, shipping contracts and commercial relationships between American importers and Spanish exporters.
Spanish port restrictions lead to proposed US retaliation
The dispute originated in November 2024 when Spanish authorities denied port access to vessels participating in the MSP, a US government initiative designed to maintain a commercially active merchant fleet available for national defense requirements.
The affected vessels included the Maersk Denver, Maersk Seletar and Maersk Hartford, which were reportedly subject to restrictions concerning cargo associated with Israel.
The MSP supports US-flagged commercial vessels that can be called upon to provide military sealift capacity during national emergencies. Ships participating in the program conduct international commercial operations but remain subject to obligations supporting American defense logistics.
Spain’s restrictions attracted regulatory attention because the affected vessels were operating within a program intended to preserve US shipping capacity and maintain access to international markets.
The FMC opened its investigation in December 2024 to determine whether Spain’s actions had created conditions unfavorable to American shipping interests. The inquiry received more than 8,000 public comments, reflecting considerable international attention surrounding Spain’s treatment of vessels associated with Israeli cargo movements.
Spanish authorities maintained that their decisions complied with Spanish, European Union and international laws governing defense-related shipments. The Spanish government argued that its restrictions were applied without discrimination and were not directed against vessels because of their nationality.
Spain questioned the FMC’s jurisdiction and suggested that diplomatic engagement would provide a more appropriate mechanism for addressing the disagreement.
The commission took a different position, determining that the restrictions had denied American vessels docking privileges rather than merely preventing the discharge of particular cargo.
Its investigation concluded that Spain’s actions had affected the ability of US-flagged vessels to participate in international trade involving Spanish ports. The commission considered the implications broader than the individual incidents, finding that the restrictions could discourage other MSP vessels from operating in affected trades.
These findings provided the regulatory basis for the proposed financial penalties and additional trade measures announced in October 2026.
Proposed shipping fees could extend into broader trade restrictions
The FMC proposes charging Spanish-flagged vessels $200,000 each time they enter a US port from a foreign destination, a potentially significant expense for operators making regular transatlantic voyages.
The proposed penalty draws on a maritime dispute involving Japan in 1997, when the commission imposed a $100,000 per-voyage fee in response to restrictions affecting American shipping interests.
The FMC has used that historical precedent, adjusted approximately for inflation, to establish its proposed charge against Spanish vessels.
The commission acknowledged that fewer Spanish-flagged vessels currently visit American ports than Japanese-operated vessels did during the earlier dispute. The relatively limited number of affected ships could restrict the direct financial impact of the proposed fees, although the broader regulatory implications remain significant.
The more substantial commercial risk may arise from proposed restrictions on Spanish imports, which could affect manufacturers and exporters with no direct involvement in the original port access dispute.
The FMC has identified five broad categories for possible restrictions: perfumery and cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, articles of stone, and sugar and confectionery products.
Figures included in the regulatory filing indicate that American imports of Spanish oils and fats reached approximately $1.15 billion in 2025, including $836.9 million in olive oil and related products.
Spanish perfumery, cosmetics and related preparations accounted for approximately $940 million in US imports, with perfumes and toilet waters representing nearly $700 million.
Ceramic imports reached approximately $634.7 million, including $523.7 million in ceramic tiles and mosaic products. Articles of stone and related materials contributed another $270.6 million, compared with $138.8 million in sugar and confectionery products.
Collectively, these five categories represented approximately $3.13 billion in American imports from Spain during 2025, illustrating the commercial scale of the goods potentially exposed to restrictions.
These figures describe historical trade values rather than anticipated losses. The FMC has not determined whether restrictions would affect every identified product category or whether more limited measures would be adopted.
For Spanish exporters, restrictions could complicate access to established American markets, particularly in industries where producers maintain long-term relationships with distributors and commercial buyers. US businesses sourcing Spanish products could face additional procurement challenges if import limitations were introduced.
Maritime operators face uncertainty as the US considers its next move
For international shipping companies, the proposal demonstrates how disputes over port access can develop into regulatory measures affecting cargo movements, vessel operations and international commercial relationships.
The proposed fee applies specifically to Spanish-flagged vessels rather than every ship operating between Spain and the US. That distinction matters for carriers assessing potential financial exposure, as vessel registration does not necessarily correspond to the nationality of a shipping company’s ownership or management.
Operators using affected vessels may need to review voyage economics and contractual arrangements if the charges become enforceable. Charter agreements and existing transport commitments could require particular attention where responsibility for government-imposed fees has not been clearly allocated.
Exporters and freight forwarders face a different challenge, particularly if uncertainty surrounding potential import restrictions begins influencing purchasing decisions and cargo planning.
Businesses dependent on Spanish goods could examine alternative sourcing arrangements, while exporters may reconsider inventory allocation and delivery commitments until the regulatory position becomes clearer. Any commercial adjustment would depend on the final scope of the restrictions and the practical availability of alternative suppliers.
The FMC is accepting public comments until Dec. 14, 2026, giving shipping companies, importers, exporters and other interested parties an opportunity to address the potential consequences.
Spain has been offered an opportunity to request a hearing, and the commission has acknowledged that diplomatic engagement could resolve the dispute before restrictive measures are introduced.
For the maritime sector, the outcome will establish whether a disagreement involving three vessels develops into broader restrictions affecting transatlantic commerce. With several major Spanish export industries potentially exposed, the consequences could extend considerably further than the relatively small number of Spanish-flagged ships currently entering American ports.
Source:
SeatradeMaritime News
