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Seafarer Index
Spain flag

🇪🇸 Spain

ISO ESP / ES

Regulatory

MLC 2006
ratified (2010-12-20)
Paris MoU rating
white
Tokyo MoU rating
not-listed
USCG Qualship 21
not listed
ITF FoC
not listed

Registry

Vessel count
500
Deadweight
4
Administration
Dirección General de la Marina Mercante (DGMM)
File a complaint
Official form

EU Mediterranean maritime nation; Canary Islands registry also active

Compliance history

Country context

Population
49,355,143 (2025)
GDP per capita
$38,627 (2025)
Income group
High income
Region
Europe & Central Asia

Source: World Bank Open Data.

What this means for seafarers

  • MLC 2006: This flag has ratified MLC 2006. Vessels must hold a valid Maritime Labour Certificate + DMLC Part II posted onboard. You can file an MLC complaint via the flag administration.
  • Port-state-control profile: high-performing flag — fewer detentions on average. Read about PSC regimes →
  • STCW: Party to STCW. Verify a CoC issued under this flag at the administration.

See also: flag risk explained · MLC ratification list · white/grey/black lists.

Reference

  • III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
  • Port state control — how Spain-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
  • Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Spain's manning documents.
  • Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.

Ships flying Spain

Companies headquartered in Spain

Ports in Spain

All ports in Spain →

Spain flag: FAQ

Is the Spain flag safe for seafarers?
The Spain flag has a mixed PSC record — some inspection regimes class it favourably, others less so. It has ratified MLC 2006, which is the principal worker-protection convention. Operator and class are usually a stronger signal than flag alone.
Has Spain ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?
Yes — Spain has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2010). Seafarers serving on Spain-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.
How do I file a complaint against a Spain-flagged vessel or operator?
Complaints can be lodged with the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante (DGMM) via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.
What port-state-control rating does Spain have?
Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: not-listed. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.
Is Spain on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?
No — Spain is not currently on the ITF Flag of Convenience list. Seafarers retain general ITF-channel access for advocacy and abandonment response regardless of FoC status.

Compare Spain with another flag

Put two or three flags side-by-side on the comparison tool.

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High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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