US opens investigation into Spanish ports' refusal to accept cargo ships carrying weapons to Israel

(Patria) - The United States has opened an investigation into whether NATO ally Spain has refused entry to its ports for cargo ships allegedly carrying American weapons to Israel.

The Federal Maritime Commission, an independent body tasked with monitoring and assessing conditions that may affect U.S. shipping and international trade, announced it had opened an investigation after receiving information that Spain had refused to allow at least three cargo ships into its ports.

"The Commission is concerned that this apparent policy of denying entry to certain vessels will create conditions unfavorable to the conduct of the Nation's foreign commerce," the notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday stated, AP reported.

If the investigation finds that Spain has interfered with such commerce, the commission could seek millions of dollars in penalties, up to $2.3 million per voyage, the statement said.

The notice stated that the commission was informed on November 19 that Spain was denying entry to ports for vessels, including those involved in the U.S. government's Maritime Security Program, which is intended to provide vessels and their owners with protection from restrictive and discriminatory licensing, as their services are often used by the U.S. military.

Two of the three incidents the Commission noted involved vessels operated by the Danish shipping giant Maersk in November. The other occurred in May.

Spanish authorities did not immediately comment on the November incidents. But in May, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the Foreign Ministry had denied a request for the Marianne Danica, a vessel flying a Danish flag, to dock, saying it was "carrying weapons to Israel."

A day later, on May 17, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told
Spanish state broadcaster RTVE that it was the first ship carrying weapons to Israel to be denied entry.

"We are not going to contribute to more weapons reaching the Middle East," he said.

"The Middle East needs peace. That is why this first denial of authorization will initiate a policy for any ship carrying weapons to Israel that wishes to dock in a Spanish port."

The refusal to allow the Marianne Danica to dock in the Mediterranean port of Cartagena came just days before Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, recognized a Palestinian state on May 28.

Spain had already halted its defense companies from supplying weapons to Israel in October 2023.