New mooring specification at Pasaia 2026: what changes for shipowners and operators

Key data

Operators of the mooring and unmooring service at the port of Pasaia are facing a regulatory change that updates the rules of the game. The Resolution of 2 March 2026 of the Port Authority of Pasaia, published on 28 March 2026, approves the new Pliego de Prescripciones Particulares governing this essential port service. Shipowners and shipping agents operating in Pasaia must also pay attention: the conditions under which the service they use is provided have changed.

This type of specification is neither optional nor discretionary. Its approval is mandatory under the Ley de Puertos del Estado y de la Marina Mercante, and its entry into force means an update to the regulatory framework previously in place for this service at the port of Pasaia.

What does this regulation establish?

The Pliego de Prescripciones Particulares is the technical and contractual document that defines in detail how the port mooring and unmooring service must be provided. It is not a general regulation: it is specific to the port of Pasaia and is directly binding on those who operate or use this service.

The three areas regulated by the specification are:

• Technical conditions: Requirements regarding material resources and operational capabilities that service operators must demonstrate.
• Economic conditions: Tariff framework and economic conditions applicable to the service, with potential implications for the prices paid by shipowners and shipping agents.
• Quality conditions: Service delivery standards that concessionary or licensed companies must meet.

In addition, the specification regulates the personnel requirements for service provision, which may entail reviews of staffing levels or the qualifications required of workers.

Economic and operational impact

The approval of a new pliego de prescripciones particulares is not an administrative formality without consequences. For companies operating the mooring and unmooring service in Pasaia, it means a mandatory review of their operating conditions on three fronts:

• Tariffs: The new economic framework may modify the tariffs applicable to the service. Shipowners and shipping agents should anticipate possible adjustments to port call costs at Pasaia.
• Material resources: If the specification raises requirements regarding equipment or auxiliary vessels, operators will need to invest to comply with the new requirements or risk losing their concession or licence.
• Personnel: New qualification or staffing requirements may generate additional training or recruitment costs for operating companies.

For shipowners and shipping agents, the most direct impact is the potential variation in service tariffs, which form part of the cost of a port call. Any modification to this item directly affects the competitiveness of Pasaia relative to other ports in the region.

Who is affected?

• Concessionary companies operating the mooring and unmooring service at the port of Pasaia: They are directly obliged to comply with the new specification in all its technical, economic and quality terms.
• Licensed companies operating the mooring and unmooring service at the port of Pasaia: Like concessionary companies, they must adapt their operations to the new conditions.
• Shipowners with operations at the port of Pasaia: Affected by potential changes in service tariffs and in the conditions under which the service is provided.
• Shipping agents at the port of Pasaia: As intermediaries between vessels and the port, they must be aware of the new conditions in order to correctly inform their clients and manage port calls.

Practical example

A licensed mooring and unmooring service company in Pasaia receives notification of the entry into force of the new specification. Upon reviewing the document, it identifies that the new technical requirements call for an additional auxiliary vessel with specific characteristics that its current fleet does not meet. At the same time, the new quality framework establishes stricter response times for service delivery.

This company must evaluate two immediate decisions: whether to invest in acquiring or leasing the required material resource in order to maintain its licence, and whether its current workforce holds the required qualifications or needs additional training. In parallel, a shipping agent managing regular cargo vessel calls at Pasaia must review whether the new service tariffs modify the port call costs passed on to its shipowner clients.

What should companies do now?

1. Obtain and read the full specification: Access the complete text of the Pliego de Prescripciones Particulares published by the Port Authority of Pasaia to understand in detail all technical, economic and quality requirements.
2. Review existing concession or licence contracts: Check whether the new conditions of the specification modify current contractual obligations and within what timeframes they must be met.
3. Audit available material resources: Verify that equipment and auxiliary vessels comply with the new technical requirements set out in the specification.
4. Assess personnel requirements: Review whether the current workforce meets the required qualifications and plan training or recruitment if necessary.
5. Analyse the tariff impact: Shipowners and shipping agents must review how the new economic conditions affect port call costs at Pasaia and update their operational budgets accordingly.
6. Consult the Port Authority of Pasaia: For any questions regarding the interpretation of the specification or adaptation timelines, contact the Port Authority directly to obtain official clarification.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7165