The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission has announced the continue their investigation of the regulations or practices imposed by the Spanish Government which directly or indirectly deny to certain ships access to its ports. The investigation had been launched a year ago after Spain refused to join the ports to ships carrying goods in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) of the U.S. Maritime Administration's (Marad). In particular, between 9 and 14 November 2024, Spain had denied docking at the port of Algeciras to container ships Maersk Denver and Maersk Nysted and on November 14 at the Maersk Seletar. These are three ships of the Danish Maersk Line that operated under the U.S. flag and that Spain believed they were carrying weapons for Israel.

Announcing the continuation of the investigation, the FMC on Friday highlighted that on the basis of the information obtained so far It appears that laws or regulations adopted or enforced by the Spain "are probably creating general conditions or special unfavorable to sea transport in foreign trade of the United States". Specifying that it must examine which actions may be appropriate to modify those conditions, the Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it may consider a range of potential remedies, 'including limitations on goods, the refusal of entry to ships operating under the Spanish flag or the imposition of fines up to the current limit of 2,304,629 dollars each way, adjusted for flying, for flying ships Spanish flag".