What it is
Bill so crews would not post bail to seize a ship
It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 27 June 2017. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario Confederal de Unidos Podemos-En Comú Podem-En Marea.
Official title: Private member's bill amending Act 14/2014, of 24 July, on Maritime Navigation.
Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000118· updated 11 Nov
Automatic summary, not yet reviewed
- The bill starts from the idea that ship crews are the weakest link in maritime transport. Many workers claim unpaid wages every year, especially in ports such as Algeciras, Las Palmas, Valencia and Barcelona.
- Today, to request the preventive seizure of a ship, the law requires a guarantee of 15% of the claimed amount. The bill argues this harms crews and goes against the Constitution and a 1999 international convention.
- The bill would add a paragraph to Article 472 of the Maritime Navigation Law. If a crew requests the seizure over unpaid wages or over death or bodily injury, the 15% minimum guarantee would not apply. The judge could require whatever guarantee seems appropriate, or even waive it.
- If passed, the law would take effect the day after its publication in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado). Measures that increase spending or reduce budget revenues would take effect in the following budget year.
Who it affects
- Ship crews (captain, officers and other crew members): Could request the preventive seizure of the ship without posting the 15% minimum guarantee when claiming wages or personal injury.
- Judges: Could set whatever guarantee seems appropriate, or waive it for the crew, depending on the case.
- Shipowners and other maritime transport professionals: Would see how the guarantee is regulated in preventive seizures of ships over crew claims.
Words worth knowing
- Embargo preventivo (preventive seizure)
- A court order blocking an asset, such as a ship, while a lawsuit is pending, to secure payment if the claimant wins.
- Fianza (guarantee or bail)
- Money or security provided in advance to cover damages if the claim turns out to be unjustified.
- Tutela judicial efectiva (effective judicial protection)
- The constitutional right to real protection from the courts.
- Crédito marítimo (maritime claim)
- A debt related to the ship, such as wages owed to the crew.
It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries
Where it stands
How far did it get?
It took 2 of 7 steps. It reached Admitted, and today it is unfinished.
- Introduced27 June 2017Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
- Admitted5 September 2017The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
- Amendmentsnot reachedGroups propose changes.
- Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
- Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
- Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
- BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 6 official steps on a timeline
Was there a plenary vote?
We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.
What happens next
What happens now?
The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.
It has not been presented again yet.
Sources
Where does all this come from?
- Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000118
Official title, type, author, dates and stage.
Retrieved 11 November 2026
- The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
- Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
- We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.