Spain denies port entry to Maersk vessel on allegations of weapons transport to Israel

Spain has denied entry to a Maersk container ship arriving at the port of Algeciras, over allegations it is carrying arms to Israel. 

Spanish daily El Pais earlier this week said Madrid would not allow the vessel to dock because its cargo included weapons systems for Israel.

“The cargo to be transshipped through the port does not include any military weapons or ammunition,” Maersk said in a statement. 

But Maersk appeared to confirm that some cargo was going to Israel. It questioned if Spain had expanded its ban on the type of Israel-bound cargo it was blocking from arriving in Spanish ports. 

“It is our understanding that Spain has in its discretion changed its criteria and is now rejecting vessels that carry anything military-related going to, or from, Israel, notwithstanding such cargo being legal," Maersk said.