US to investigate Spain after port refuses shipments reportedly carrying arms to Israel

The Spanish transport minister admitted in May that the the Danish-flagged ship Marianne Danica was denied port entry for "carrying weapons to Israel."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF DECEMBER 6, 2024 20:40 Updated: DECEMBER 6, 2024 20:58

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in the United States Navy is shown at its home port of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, US, May 18, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)

The United States Federal Maritime Commission is investigating three incidents in which Spain refused port entry to ships reportedly carrying arms to Israel, two of which were US-flagged, the commission and media reported on Thursday.

“The commission is concerned that this apparent policy of denying entry to certain vessels will create conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade,” it said Thursday in a notice published in the Federal Register.

Spain could be subjected to millions in fines if it has been found to have interfered with commerce. The maximum fine is $2.3 million per voyage.

The commission said it had been made aware on November 19 that ships, including those enrolled in the US-run Maritime Security Program, had been denied entry.

Spanish officials admit to rejected Israel-bound ships

Two of the ships rejected in November were from the Danish shipping giant Maersk and a third was rejected in May.

Tourists look from Casa Batllo at people holding Palestinian and Lebanon flags during a protest to express support for Palestinians in Gaza, a day ahead of the anniversary of the October 7th attack, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Barcelona, Spain October 6, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/NACHO DOCE)

While Spanish authorities have yet to comment on the US's investigation, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente admitted in May that the the Danish-flagged ship Marianne Danica was denied port entry for "carrying weapons to Israel," according to the Associated Press.

“We are not going to contribute to any more arms reaching the Middle East,” he said. “The Middle East needs peace. That is why that this first denial of authorization will start a policy for any boat carrying arms to Israel that wants to dock at a Spanish port.”

The refusal came after Spain formally announced it was recognizing Palestinian statehood. Spain also froze arm shipments to and from Israel following the decision.