The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has given the order to make an initial disbursement of 81,062 euros to 169 shipowners from the Balearic Islands, in order to compensate for the increase in fuel costs caused by the war conflict in the Middle East.
These aids, approved through an order signed on August 14, total 3.1 million euros for 3,798 shipowners operating with 4,034 vessels, and are aimed at "compensating for the increase in the price of fuel consumed between March 22 and April 30," as specified by the department headed by Luis Planas.
The management of this subsidy is carried out ex officio "without the need for beneficiaries to submit an application," with the purpose of accelerating the payment of aids as much as possible. To this end, it is previously verified which vessels have engaged in fishing activity during the established period.
At the same time, the General Secretariat of Fisheries is processing a second block of beneficiaries, which includes those who submitted claims, and plans to publish shortly the resolution with the definitive list and the corresponding amounts.
These aids are framed within Article 51 of Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, of March 20, as part of the Comprehensive Response Plan to the Crisis in the Middle East. However, the Government has extended the subsidizable period of the measure from March 22 to September 30, 2026.
The calculation of the amount is made per vessel, multiplying a unit amount by the daily fuel consumption and by the days of activity within the eligible period, with a maximum of 200,000 euros per ship and 400,000 euros per shipowner.
The aid sets a cap of 0.20 euros per liter of diesel, although it also provides for the option of making additional payments if 70% of the increase in the average price of fuel throughout the eligible period exceeds the sum of the 0.2 euros/liter already paid in interim payments.
The measures have the approval of the European Commission and Spain has set the intensity of the aid "at the maximum allowed, equivalent to 70% of the difference" compared to the cost of fuel prior to the start of the conflict (0.697 euros per liter as of February 23).
Galicia and Andalusia concentrate the largest volume of aids
In the distribution by territories, Galicia appears as the community that receives the most funds, with 1,247,405.61 euros distributed among 1,671 shipowners and 1,757 vessels with a home port in the region.
Below is Andalucía, which will receive 682,858.54 euros for 682 shipowners and 738 vessels, followed by Catalonia, with 386,694.72 euros to be distributed among 377 shipowners and 399 boats.
The Valencian Community will reach 362,845.75 euros for 242 shipowners, while Cantabria will receive 168,281.69 euros for 82 shipowners; Asturias, 88,111.09 euros for 136 shipowners; and Balearic Islands, 81,062.71 euros for 169 shipowners.
Closing the distribution are the Canary Islands, with 71,204.73 euros allocated to 328 shipowners; the Region of Murcia, with 67,459.49 euros for 101 shipowners; and the Basque Country, which will have 54,929.05 euros directed to 11 shipowners and 12 vessels.