Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The United States has banned Spain’s biggest port from an important shipping route that connects America and Asia.
Port of Algeciras in Spain, the busiest hub for cargo handling more than 100 million tonnes per year, has been dropped without ceremony from a strategic route connecting US East and Western coasts to major ports located in Japan, South Korea and China.
The move threatens to deliver a sharp blow to the country’s maritime trade – with neighbouring Morocco being the main beneficiary.
The shipping agreement which entered into force in 2025 was abruptly changed in June. All cargo is now diverted to Tanger-Med, a port in Morocco.
READ MORE Spain to finally recognise Gibraltar airport — and unlock ‘up to 20,000 passengers daily’
While shipping giants American President Lines and Maersk cite ‘operational reasons’ and cost-cutting measures for the change, the decision comes amid a bitter investigation by the US Federal Maritime Commission into Spain’s refusal to allow two American-flagged container ships to dock in Algeciras last November.
The vessels – Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar – were denied access over suspicions they were carrying military supplies destined for Israel, forcing them to divert to other ports.
This led to a formal US investigation into what Washington views as discriminatory practices towards American commerce.
The Commission’s Rebecca F Dye, in testimony to the US House of Representatives of July 22, revealed that it will publish its findings regarding Spanish port practice later this year.
She criticised Spain’s official response as focusing ‘more on sovereignty than reasons for denying port access.’
The spat over maritime issues is the latest example of the deteriorating US/Spain relationship under Pedro Sanchez’s and Donald Trump’s governments, respectively.
Washington also investigates Spain’s contract to have the Chinese tech giant Huawei handle sensitive government information. The US views suppliers from China who work in strategic industries as a possible security threat for the Western alliance system.
Washington has interpreted Spain’s refusal to buy F-35 fighter planes as an insult that could undermine cooperation on the shared military bases of Rota and Moron. These bases are crucial for NATO operations in the Mediterranean, and US deployments to Africa and the Middle East.
There have already been calls to relocate the bases to the US’ ‘more reliable’ ally in the region – once again, Morocco.
READ MORE Protests planned at Spain’s largest port against ‘US ships carrying arms for Israel’ sets up another confrontation with Trump
If Spain is found in violation of shipping regulations, the FMC investigation could result in sanctions.
Penalties include fines up to 2 million euros per vessel for vessels flying the Spanish flag, entry bans into US ports and restrictions on bilateral trade.
Such measures would severely impact the 750,000 containers that move between the two countries annually – representing 4% of Spain’s total port traffic in 2024 but carrying high-value goods and industrial components crucial to supply chains.
Exclusion from the shipping routes forces Spanish exports to take longer and more expensive alternatives, which undermines their competitiveness, and threatens a permanent shift in transatlantic trade patterns.
READ MORE Revealed: New favoured drug route for ‘narcos’ in southern Spain – as police plead for more weapons
Spain’s official response to the US investigation, sent in February, defended the port access denials as necessary to prevent transit of weapons that could be used for ‘genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, attacks on civilian targets, or other war crimes.’
Israel was implied, but not specifically named.
In a response drafted by an international law firm, the Spanish government asserted its sovereign right to control access to ports. It also encouraged operators to seek alternative routes – advice shipping giants have now taken to heart.
READ MORE Train to Gibraltar? Spain’s long-demanded costa train may actually become a reality – and with it a stop across the border in La Linea
Algeciras is one of four European ports, along with Rotterdam and Antwerp, that handle more than 100 million tonnes per year. The exclusion could be a devastating blow to the port’s status as an important Mediterranean hub.
Spain’s geopolitical position is affected by the wider implications of this. The country has become increasingly isolated from traditional Western allies due to its stance against Israel’s attack on Gaza, and its increasing ties with China.
As other non EU ports and routes become established, Spanish ports may be permanently cut off from important transatlantic trade flows. This could have a lasting impact on the economic competitiveness of Spain and its strategic significance.
The Olive Press offers more Algeciras News.
