The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has proposed a $200,000 fee on Spanish-flagged ships entering American ports. This action follows a two-year investigation that revealed Spain's restrictions on American ships have created unfavorable conditions for U.S. maritime transport.
Background and Reasons for Action
This proposal was announced on Wednesday and is seen as a significant escalation in a long-standing dispute dating back to 2024. At that time, Spain denied entry to ships carrying military cargo destined for Israel. The U.S. Maritime Commission stated with compelling evidence that these restrictions have caused U.S.-flagged vessels to reroute to other ports and generally avoid entering Spain.
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Details of Proposed Actions
The proposed measures include a $200,000 fee for each entry of Spanish ships into U.S. ports, as well as potential restrictions on imports of Spanish goods including cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, stone products, and sugar and sweets. These five categories account for nearly $3.1 billion of U.S. imports from Spain in 2025, with olive oil alone representing nearly $837 million.
These measures are not yet finalized, and the FMC is seeking public comments before making decisions on the imposed restrictions. Additionally, the commission has provided an opportunity for a meeting with Spain.
Impact on Maritime Transport
FMC research indicates that these restrictions have had a lasting impact on shipping patterns for U.S.-flagged vessels. Prior to November 2024, Maersk Line, Limited ships visited Spanish ports an average of more than seven times a month. However, these activities have significantly shifted towards Morocco and the port of Tangier. In 2026, only six times did U.S.-flagged ships visit Spain, whereas prior to the restrictions, the number of monthly visits was much higher.
The FMC has also provided confidential evidence showing that nearly all ships participating in the U.S. maritime security program have refrained from visiting Spanish ports due to these restrictions. Spain insists that its actions are in accordance with domestic, European Union, and international laws and are applied non-discriminatorily based on the flag of the ships, but the FMC has rejected this defense, emphasizing that Spain has generally restricted the entry of U.S.-flagged vessels.
Conclusion
The new proposal follows a December 2025 warning in which the FMC stated it was seeking penalties of up to $2.3 million per voyage, cargo restrictions, and the potential barring of Spanish-flagged ships. The commission is also looking to increase fees or expand import restrictions if Spain takes retaliatory actions against American carriers or traders.
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