U.S. shipping regulator weighs $200,000 fees for Spanish vessels

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is proposing a per-voyage fee on all Spanish-flagged vessels of $200,000 and restrictions on the import of certain Spanish goods into the United States.

The FMC is now weighing formal countermeasures against Spanish-linked shipping, including charging fees for all Spanish-flagged vessels and restricting the import of certain Spanish goods, to counteract the unfavorable shipping conditions, as the authority claims, in Spain against U.S.-flagged vessels.

The trade categories possibly facing restrictions include perfumery and cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, articles of stone, and sugar and confectionaries.

Signaling an escalation in the maritime dispute between the two countries, the FMC is now soliciting public feedback on specific remedial actions to counterbalance these restrictions. The FMC encourages the public to weigh in on the potential impacts of these proposed actions by filing written comments.

The FMC initiated an investigation in December 2024 to determine whether Spain is creating general or special conditions unfavorable to shipping in U.S. foreign trade by barring certain vessels from its ports, including vessels transporting cargo under the United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Maritime Security Program.

Following a nearly two-year investigation, the FMC said it had found conclusive evidence that Spain denied U.S.-flagged vessels access to its ports, and that these actions created unfavorable shipping conditions in the foreign trade.

FMC asserted in its statement Wednesday that these “unfavorable conditions have grave consequences for the efficiency and reliability of the international ocean shipping supply chain, as well as the ability of the FMC to promote the growth and development of U.S. exports, encourage the development of a liner fleet of U.S. vessels capable of meeting national security needs and supporting commerce, and supporting the U.S. merchant marine.”

The measures are not yet final. The FMC is seeking public comment on all aspects of these proposed actions to help it decide the appropriate remedy and will offer Spain an opportunity for a hearing.