Spain's Navy has updated its protocol for handling the innocent passage of Moroccan vessels through waters off the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Naval units can now respond directly, without first seeking authorisation from higher command, Euronews reported. The change applies specifically to Moroccan ships transiting the waters off Spain's two North African territories.

Spain's Navy has revised the protocol it follows when Moroccan vessels exercise the right of innocent passage through waters off Ceuta and Melilla, the two Spanish enclaves on Morocco's Mediterranean coast. Under the new rules, naval units can respond to such passages directly, without first seeking authorisation from higher command, according to a report published by Euronews on Saturday.

Innocent passage is a principle of international maritime law that allows foreign vessels to transit a coastal state's territorial waters without prior notice, provided they do not threaten the coastal state's security. Ceuta and Melilla, surrounded by Moroccan territory, have long required close coordination between Spanish authorities monitoring vessel movements in the narrow waters separating the two countries.

The change streamlines how quickly Spanish naval units can react when Moroccan ships pass through these waters, cutting out a layer of prior approval. Euronews did not report any immediate reaction from Rabat to the adjusted protocol.