The United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced the opening of a investigation about “possible unfavorable conditions for navigation in Spain” after the denial of entry into its ports to at least three American ships by protests by activists who alleged that they transported military supplies a Israel.
The commission said in a statement published this Friday that it has received reports that the Government of Spain is creating unfavorable conditions for navigation in the foreign trade of the United States by denying entry to its ports to certain ships.
In May, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, said that the policy of the Spanish Government will be to reject any ship that carries weapons to Israel and wants to stop at a spanish port. According to the investigation, Spain denied “docking privileges to the Maersk Denver at the beginning of November” and the ship had to divert to Morocco.
Along with the information about this fact, the FMC added a link to an article in the The Maritime Executive which indicates that the reason for the diversion to Morocco was “activist protests in Spain who alleged that the ship was transporting military supplies to Israel.
Another incident that the commission is studying is that of a ship that was “denied the docking privileges in May.”
Regarding the merchant Marianne Danicawhich was diverted in the spring, the statement shares an article by The Guardian which points to Albares’ statements as the reason why the ship was denied permission.
“At this initial stage of the investigation, the Commission will focus on providing an avenue for interested parties, including the Government of Spain and common carriers who have been denied entry to Spanish ports, provide informationperspectives and proposed solutions,” according to the statement.
