Journal · · 1 min read
US proposes $200,000 fee on Spanish-flagged ships over port ban
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed charging $200,000 per voyage for every Spanish-flagged vessel entering a US port, following a nearly two-year investigation into Spain's policy — in force since November 2024 — of refusing port access to ships carrying arms for Israel. The proposal is far milder than the up to $2.3 million per voyage floated in December. A Federal Register publication is set for October 15, opening a 60-day comment period.
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed a $200,000 fee for every call by a Spanish-flagged vessel at a US port. The move follows a nearly two-year investigation: since November 2024, Spain has refused port access to vessels carrying arms for Israel, including US-flagged Maersk ships that the FMC says were forced to divert, mainly to Morocco. The proposed figure is sharply lower than the up to $2,304,629 per voyage floated in a December update.
Beyond the port fee, the FMC is also weighing import limits on roughly $3.1 billion of Spanish goods — including olive oil, cosmetics, ceramics, stone products, and sugar and confectionery. Spain maintains its measures are lawful and non-discriminatory; the FMC has rejected that argument.
The decision isn't final yet. Publication in the Federal Register is scheduled for October 15, opening a 60-day public comment period, after which the FMC will decide which measures to adopt. Spain has been offered the chance to request a hearing.
Source: gCaptain, Oct 14, 2026 — https://gcaptain.com/u-s-shipping-regulator-proposes-200000-fees-on-spanish-ships-over-port-ban/
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