NEW’S | 7.4 million-Euro investment “improves port capacity in the Azores,” says José Manuel Bolieiro

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the christening ceremony of the tugboat “Açor,” held in Ponta Delgada. The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, was the vessel’s godmother.

“Açor” is “a state-of-the-art tugboat, designed with a focus on efficiency, safety and robustness,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

This tugboat is equipped with modern navigation systems and propulsion technologies that minimise fuel consumption and help reduce polluting gas emissions. In addition to a lower environmental impact, energy efficiency also reduces operating costs. The tugboat has a high traction capacity, reaching 70 tonnes ahead and 65 tonnes astern, an essential factor for manoeuvring large vessels.

This investment represented an investment exceeding seven million euros, with the Compete 2020 programme contributing four million Euros. With this acquisition, the Regional Port Authorities now have four tugboats: “Açor” (2024) and “Pêro de Teive” (1998) in Ponta Delgada; “O Bravo” (2004) in Praia da Vitória; and “Ilha de S. Luís” (2004) in Horta.

“We are optimising the availability of EU funds for a competitive and cohesive strategy,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

The government official emphasised the strategic importance of the Ponta Delgada Port, stressing that “it is the main port infrastructure on the archipelago’s largest island and plays a fundamental role in the regional economy.”

The head of the Azorean Government also stated that investments in port infrastructures in Ponta Delgada between 2021 and 2025 will amount to 86 million Euros. The interventions carried out include the acquisition of a new tugboat, a crane and seven forklifts and repair work for the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, scheduled for completion in September 2025. Other improvements include reprofiling the quay, resurfacing the embankment and dredging the bay.

Regarding the future of the tugboat “São Miguel,” which has already been decommissioned, he mentioned that three possibilities are being considered: scrapping and dismantling after decontamination; sinking it near the São Miguel coast to create an artificial reef and attract recreational diving, a proposal in which two of the island’s municipalities are interested; or selling through a public tender procedure, with a notice published in the usual outlets. 

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU