Two Maaski container ships have been banned from docking by Spanish authorities
Recently, a number of Spanish media broke the news that two of Maersk's container ships were banned by the Spanish authorities from docking at the country's port of Algeciras, because of suspicions that the two ships were carrying weapons destined for Israel.
According to the report, Maersk's subsidiary Maersk Line, Limited's container ships -Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar, according to the original shipment schedule will be on November 8 and November 14, respectively, to call the port of Algeciras. But it received a ban from the Spanish authorities - not allowing it to enter the port.
Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday it was investigating whether there was any evidence that the Maersk ship was carrying weapons destined for Israel.
A spokesman for Spain's Foreign Ministry said all necessary measures would be taken if the information was confirmed.
Maersk admitted that its container ship Maersk Denver was denied entry to the Spanish port of Algeciras, but denied that the ship was transporting weapons to Israel.
Maersk said: "We do not know on what basis the Spanish authorities decide whether the vessel will be allowed to call at Algeciras, as the cargo is in full compliance with national and international laws and regulations."
"The cargo transshipped through the port does not include any military arms or ammunition."
Maersk Denver (IMO: 9332999), built in 2007 with a capacity of 6,200TEU, is deployed on the Middle East-US MECL route, according to Maersk's website and Big Ship Schedule.
The ship was due to call at Algeciras on November 8, but after being denied entry by Spanish authorities, the Maersk Denver has been diverted to Tangier in Morocco, where it has now left for Oman.
Maersk, meanwhile, said it had contacted Spanish authorities to find out why the ship was denied entry to the port when it was clearly carrying a type of cargo no different from those that had previously passed through the port.
"It is our understanding that Spain has decided on its own to change its entry criteria and now rejects any vessel carrying military-related cargo to or from Israel, even though such cargo is legal," the Danish shipping company said.
While Maersk acknowledged that the Maersk Denver had indeed been denied entry to Algeciras by the Spanish authorities, it said it had not received information that the Maersk Seletar had also been denied entry.
The Maersk Seletar, built in 2007 with a capacity of 6,648 TEU and flying under the US flag, is also deployed by Maersk on the Middle East-US MECL route.
The ship is currently en route from Newark to Algeciras, where it is scheduled to call on November 14, and it is unclear whether the Maersk Seletar will be diverted as the Maersk Denver.
Since May, Spanish authorities have refused to allow ships carrying arms to Israel to dock at the country's ports, and at the time, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the reason was clear - "The Middle East does not need more arms, it needs more peace."
In addition, it is worth noting that, after the Maersk Denver was allowed to enter the Moroccan port of Tangier, Moroccans gathered in front of the port at 12 noon local time on 10 November to protest against the ship's call, condemning the ship for carrying weapons intended to kill their brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon.
