Spain Turned Away American-Flagged Ships. The FMC's $200,000-a-Voyage Answer Is Fair — and Madrid Can End It
The Federal Maritime Commission's Oct. 15 proposal would charge Spanish-flagged ships $200,000 a voyage and could limit imports from olive oil to perfume, after Spain kept U.S. security-program vessels out of its ports. In our view, it is proportionate pressure that leaves the door open to diplomacy.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 19, 2026 | 6-min read Spain is a NATO ally. It is also, according to a U.S. regulator, a country that has turned away American-flagged ships enrolled in the U.S. government's own Maritime Security Program [1]. Last week the Federal Maritime Commission said enough. It proposed a $200,000 fee on every voyage by a Spanish-flagged ship into U.S. ports, plus possible limits on Spanish imports from olive oil to perfume [1][2]. In our view, this is a fair, measured answer, and the fastest way to end it is for Madrid to open its ports. Key Takeaways The FMC published a proposed rule on Oct. 15 finding that Spain created unfavorable shipping conditions by denying port access to U.S.-flagged vessels [1]. Proposed remedies: a $200,000 per-voyage fee on all Spanish-flagged vessels and possible import limits on Spanish perfumery and cosmetics, oils and fats, ceramics, stone, and sugar and confectionery [1][2]. Initial reports said Spain refused port access in November 2024 to three Maritime Security Program vessels because they carried cargo bound for or coming from