Spain carried out more than 3,000 maritime inspections in 2025

Paris MoU inspections stand out, as they are carried out on foreign vessels arriving at Spanish ports. Spain ranks among the leading countries in this type of control.

The Harbour Master’s Offices (Capitanías Marítimas) of the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine, under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, carried out more than 3,000 ship inspections last year. Among them were 1,292 inspections of foreign-flagged merchant vessels arriving at Spanish ports or anchorages, known as Paris MoU inspections.

These inspections verify that vessels have the necessary safety measures to operate and cover merchant ships, ro-ro passenger vessels (ro-pax), and high-speed passenger craft in regular foreign service (ferries and cruise ships). Spain ranks among the top countries in terms of the number of inspections carried out by members of the Paris MoU.

The second most common type of inspection focuses on controlling sulfur oxide emissions into the atmosphere. A total of 809 inspections and 285 sample analyses were carried out to ensure that fuel used both in port and at sea complies with regulatory limits set by European legislation and the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to these limits, sulfur content must not exceed 0.10% mass/mass at anchorage and in port, and 0.50% mass/mass while sailing. Only seven non-compliances were detected, reflecting growing awareness among shipping companies regarding emissions.

Harbour Master’s Offices also carry out other sustainability-related inspections at sea. Among the most recent are those monitoring ship waste deliveries at port reception facilities. These inspections, regulated by an EU directive in force since 2022, aim to protect the marine environment from the harmful effects of waste discharges by ships using Spanish ports. In 2025, 685 such inspections were conducted, detecting 25 non-compliances.

Additional checks include compliance with ship recycling regulations (54 inspections) and greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements (77 inspections).

Inspectors also carry out so-called “White List” inspections, extraordinary surveys of Spanish-flagged vessels aimed at improving the performance of the Spanish flag in Paris MoU inspections. A total of 95 such inspections were conducted last year.