In 2025, Spain adopted a new maritime strategy 2025-2050, complemented by a "National Action Plan for the Decarbonisation of Maritime Transport" which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%.
In terms of maritime transport, Spain's situation is unique compared to that of its neighbours. The existence of the archipelagos (Balearic Islands and Canary Islands) has stimulated the transport of passengers and goods with the mainland and between the islands that make up these archipelagos. Freight has benefited from the tourism boom in the archipelagos and the weakness of the local economic fabric, which has led to the need for regular supplies from the peninsula. These characteristics of the Spanish market have favoured the emergence of modestly sized companies. On the other hand, the country does not have any major international maritime players.
The decline of the Spanish-flagged fleet
The commercial fleet dedicated to transport and controlled by Spanish shipping companies comprised 205 ships and represented nearly 5 million gross tons (GT) and 4.5 million deadweight tons (DWT) at 1st December 2025, according to statistics published by the Asociación de Navieros Españoles (ANAVE), the Spanish shipowners' association. This is a real step backwards since the fleet numbered almost 350 ships in the 1990s.
The profession has the following characteristics:
- A high degree of specialisation. Passenger ships (78 units) and LNG carriers (22) account for almost 50% of the fleet. LNG carriers occupy a special place since they alone represent 43% of the tonnage. The fleet consists of only 15 container ships, operated mainly by the Boluda group.
- The structural decline of the Spanish-flagged fleet. As of the 1st of December 2025, the fleet registered under the Spanish flag (Special Register of the Canary Islands or REC according to the acronym in Spanish) had only 85 ships (1.34 M DWT) or 41% of the number of units compared to 61% in 2010), and 30% of the tonnage (57% in 2010).
- The rise of foreign-flagged fleets. The decline of the REC was accompanied by the emergence of other flags more advantageous for shipowners (Madeira, Malta, Norway and Cyprus mainly). All container ships, bulk carriers and chemical tankers sail under a foreign flag.
- A fleet at odds with the weight of the Spanish economy. As of the 1st of January 2025, the Spanish-flagged fleet was placed 28th in the world rankings in terms of tonnage, and 14th in Europe, whereas Spain occupies the 2nd position in Europe in terms of container traffic. The weakness of the fleet is reflected in particular by a large deficit in the maritime freight item in the Spanish balance of payments (€10 billion per year).
Mobilisation of the profession
For several years, Spanish shipowners have been calling for a thorough reform of the REC in order to make it more competitive compared to foreign fleets. This is proving to be complex due to the number of ministries involved, and the requested overhaul has not yet materialised.
On the other hand, the demands concerning the need to provide Spain with a "national merchant marine policy" have borne fruit. On June 19th 2025, following extensive consultations with all stakeholders, the Council of Ministers approved the "Spanish Maritime Strategy 2025-2050", in which 11 ministries and the Spanish maritime sector participated. The profession had been mobilised as early as 2022, concerned about the lack of awareness of the issues of maritime transport at the highest level of the State while the challenges were piling up: economic situation, decarbonisation, crisis within the national fleet, foreign competition, etc.
Defining priorities
The main objective of this strategy is to strengthen and modernise the Spanish maritime transport sector, primarily through support for the development and decarbonisation of the fleet. The Directorate General of the Merchant Marine (DGMM) of the Ministry of Transport clearly stated that this was not a “strategy for promoting the blue economy”.
The Maritime Strategy establishes seven priorities, each representing a strategic focus area:
- Contributing to the energy transition of the maritime sector.
- Promote innovation, digitalisation and technological development.
- To advance the social dimension of maritime transport in order to increase its potential for job creation.
- To make progress towards the establishment of a more agile and efficient maritime administration.
- Establish a competitive fleet and flag.
- Strengthening the competitiveness of recreational boating.
- Deploy a competitive and sustainable port system.
The program, which has received approval from the Ministry of Finance, is presented as “an evolving document, which will result in 27 concrete lines of action and standards to be adopted in the coming years” Regulatory projects, plans and support programs will be developed to stimulate growth in the Spanish maritime sector. The following are planned (...)
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