Key data
| Regulation | Order TRM/844/2026, of 27 July, approving the tariffs for services provided by the Maritime Safety and Rescue Society |
|---|---|
| Publication | 8 August 2026 |
| Entry into force | 8 August 2026 (immediate entry into force) |
| Affected parties | Shipowners, shipping companies, those responsible for maritime incidents and marine pollution |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Year | 2026 |
| Regulation replaced | SASEMAR tariff regulations from 2013 (12 years without revision) |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-17364 |
If your company operates vessels, manages maritime cargo or is responsible for facilities at sea, this regulation affects you directly from today. The Order TRM/844/2026 updates SASEMAR (Maritime Safety and Rescue Society) tariffs and replaces a regulation that had been in force since 2013 without any revision. The result: the costs that were previously passed on to those responsible for incidents were well below the real operating costs. That changes now.
What does this regulation establish?
Order TRM/844/2026 introduces three structural changes compared to the 2013 regulation:
- New calculation method: Tariffs are calculated using the SASEMAR Cost Model, allocating direct and indirect costs by type of resource (vessels, aircraft, equipment, personnel). No intermediation margins are applied.
- Update to real cost: The increase reflects the accumulated rise in fuel, labour costs and materials over the past 12 years, which had not been passed on to the tariffs.
- Full responsibility for marine pollution: Those responsible for marine pollution incidents must assume all costs incurred by SASEMAR, without exceptions or previous tariff limits.
The regulation also clearly defines which services are excluded from these tariffs and therefore remain free or publicly funded:
| Service | Subject to tariff? |
|---|---|
| Rescue of human lives | No — expressly excluded |
| Maritime traffic control | No — expressly excluded |
| Support to Public Administration | No — expressly excluded |
| Salvage of goods (vessels, cargo) | Yes — subject to new tariffs |
| Marine pollution control | Yes — full cost to responsible party |
Economic and operational impact
The most direct impact is the significant increase in costs in the event of an incident. Over 12 years, SASEMAR's fuel, salaries and operating materials have risen considerably, but tariffs had not been updated. The gap between the tariff charged and the real cost was growing. Now that gap closes abruptly.
For companies in the sector, this translates into two concrete effects:
- Greater financial exposure in case of accident: If a vessel in your fleet causes a spill or requires salvage assistance for goods, the SASEMAR invoice will reflect the real cost of each deployed resource (vessel hours, aircraft hours, personnel, materials).
- Mandatory review of insurance coverage: P&I (Protection & Indemnity) policies and hull and machinery policies must now cover potentially higher amounts than they covered under the 2013 tariff. If your policy has limits based on old tariffs, it may fall short.
The regulation aims to guarantee the financial sustainability of the public maritime service. The implicit message is clear: whoever pollutes or causes the incident pays the real cost. Not the cost from 12 years ago.
Who does it affect?
- Shipowners with vessels operating in Spanish waters or under Spanish flag.
- Shipping companies and maritime transport operators managing commercial fleets.
- Operators of offshore facilities (platforms, submarine pipelines, offshore wind farms) with pollution risk.
- Maritime cargo management companies that may be considered responsible for an incident.
- Insurance companies and maritime insurance brokers that will need to recalibrate coverage and premiums.
- P&I Clubs managing shipowners' civil liability in Spain.
Practical example
Imagine a tanker vessel that suffers a breakdown in Spanish waters and causes a hydrocarbon spill. SASEMAR deploys an anti-pollution vessel, a surveillance aircraft and a team of booms and skimmers for 48 hours.
Under the 2013 regulation, the costs passed on to the responsible party were calculated using tariffs that did not reflect the real cost of current fuel, personnel and materials. With Order TRM/844/2026, those same resources are invoiced using the SASEMAR real Cost Model: operating hours of each resource multiplied by its real direct and indirect cost. The result can be significantly higher than what would have resulted from the 2013 tariffs.
The difference is not insignificant: 12 years of inflation in fuel, salaries and operating materials are passed entirely to the incident responsible party's invoice. This is why it is critical that shipowners and shipping companies review now whether their insurance coverage is sufficient to meet these new amounts.
What should companies do now?
- Review maritime insurance policies (P&I and hull): Check that coverage limits for salvage and pollution control expenses are sufficient under the new tariffs. If limits were calibrated with 2013 tariffs, they will likely fall short.
- Notify your P&I Club or insurer: Inform them of the regulatory change and request a coverage review. Some clubs may require an update to the risk declaration.
- Update environmental contingency plans: Marine pollution response plans should reflect the new potential SASEMAR costs for a realistic assessment of financial exposure.
- Review contracts with charterers and shippers: Verify that charter contracts include pollution liability clauses and whether the anticipated amounts remain appropriate.
- Consult with a maritime legal advisor: For companies with high exposure (tankers, chemical tankers, vessels with dangerous cargo), a specific review of the regulation's impact on their operations is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new SASEMAR tariffs come into force?
The new tariffs of Order TRM/844/2026 came into force on the same day as their publication in the BOE: 8 August 2026. There is no transitional period. Any SASEMAR service subject to tariff provided from that date is invoiced with the new tariffs.
Is rescue of persons also subject to tariff?
No. Rescue of human lives is expressly excluded from the tariffs of Order TRM/844/2026. Also excluded are maritime traffic control and support to Public Administration. Tariffs apply to salvage of goods (vessels, cargo) and marine pollution control.
How are the new SASEMAR tariffs calculated?
Tariffs are calculated using the SASEMAR Cost Model, allocating direct and indirect costs by type of resource (vessels, aircraft, equipment, personnel). No intermediation margins are applied. The objective is to reflect the real cost of operation, which had not been updated since 2013.
Who pays SASEMAR costs in a marine pollution incident?
The party responsible for the marine pollution incident must assume all costs incurred by SASEMAR, without exceptions. This includes direct and indirect costs of all deployed resources. This is why it is critical that shipowners and operators review their maritime civil liability insurance coverage (P&I).
Why are SASEMAR tariffs being updated now?
The previous regulation dated from 2013 and had been 12 years without revision. During that period, SASEMAR's operating costs increased significantly due to rising fuel, labour costs and materials. The update aims to guarantee the financial sustainability of the public maritime service, closing the gap between tariffs charged and real costs.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17364