The United States Federal Maritime Commission is investigating three incidents in which Spain refused
port entry to ships reportedly carrying weapons to Israel, two of which were US-flagged, the commission and media reported.
“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 in a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday.
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. Spanish ships may also be barred from entering US ports in response.
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. The Washington Times named two ships as Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar.
A Maersk spokesman denied that the ships were carrying weapons for Israel in November, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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.
While Spanish authorities have yet to comment on the US investigation, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente admitted in May that 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 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.