EU Commission approves €74 million aid for Spanish maritime transport routes

The European Commission has approved a Spanish public‑aid scheme worth €74 million to offset the surge in marine fuel costs caused by the Middle‑East conflict. The programme will grant direct subsidies that can cover up to 70 % of the additional fuel expenses recorded between 21 March and 21 September, calculated on the basis of each vessel’s gross tonnage and the nautical miles sailed on the eligible routes.

The aid targets passenger and freight services that link the Spanish mainland with the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. The Commission judged the scheme to be necessary, appropriate and proportionate and concluded that it does not distort competition in the internal market. Industry representatives have called for the inclusion of pure‑cargo ships, which remain excluded from the current arrangement.