SPAIN Law and Practice Contributed by: José Antonio Domínguez, Mikel Garteiz-Goxeaskoa, Enrique Ortiz and Irantzu Sedano Beitia, Aiyon Abogados SLP
as BIMCO CONWARTIME 2004 for time charters and BIMCO VOYWAR 2004 for voyage charters.
tice with international standards on maritime safety and the facilitation of maritime traffic through real-time control and streamlined procedures. Pending Legislative Initiatives There are legislative proposals currently under consid - eration involving amendments to both the State Ports and Merchant Marine Act and the Maritime Navigation Act, aimed at simplifying procedures, strengthening environmental sustainability and adapting the legal framework to new technologies. However, these initia - tives have not yet been approved and remain stalled, so their practical impact is limited for the time being. Recent and Forthcoming International Conventions At the international level, reference should be made to the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Car - go Documents (New York, 2025), also known as the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents. Although the Convention has been adopted within the framework of the United Nations, it is not currently in force, without prejudice to its relevance as an indicator of the ongoing development of uniform law in the field of transport documents. Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships Particular attention should also be paid to the Unit - ed Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, commonly referred to as the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships. Spain ratified the Convention on 21 August 2025, and its entry into force is scheduled for 2026, together with other state parties. The Convention establishes a harmonised regime for the international recognition of judicial sales of ships, ensuring that purchasers acquire a clean and internationally opposable title, thereby enhancing legal certainty, maximising the value of vessels on the market and protecting the interests of creditors and third parties. Taken as a whole, these regulatory and conventional developments reflect a clear trend within Spanish maritime law towards modernisation, digitalisation and international harmonisation, strengthening legal certainty and operational efficiency while consolidat - ing Spain’s alignment with international maritime law standards and practice.
10. Additional Maritime or Shipping Issues 10.1 Other Jurisdiction-Specific Shipping and Maritime Issues Certain jurisdiction-specific regulatory and procedural features that characterise the Spanish maritime legal framework are of particular relevance. Regulatory Framework for Recreational Boating The Spanish legal system has moved towards mod - ernising and consolidating the regulatory framework applicable to recreational vessels, clearly distinguish - ing between commercial activities and private leisure use. This framework establishes specific requirements relating to maritime safety, crew certification, tech - nical standards for vessels and navigational control, while promoting the digitalisation of administrative procedures concerning registration, insurance and the authorisation of recreational activities. In this context, the DGMM Resolution of 17 July 2025 sets out the conditions to be met by recrea - tional vessels and craft for the temporary conversion from private to commercial use, ensuring that only vessels meeting the required safety and certification standards may provide commercial services, thereby protecting users and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Electronic Ship Clearance Regime (RONM) Royal Decree 186/2023 of 21 March, approving the Regulation on the Organisation of Maritime Navigation (RONM), introduced a new electronic ship clearance regime, which has been in force since 15 August 2025. This system unifies and digitalises the administrative procedures governing the arrival, stay and departure of vessels in Spanish ports, eliminating the need for physical documentation and significantly reducing administrative burdens. It enables interoperability between Harbour Masters’ offices, Port Authorities and operators, enhancing legal certainty, traceability and operational efficiency, and aligning Spanish prac -
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