PRIVATE USE SECURITIES OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME AREA (TUPEM)

The right to private use of the national maritime space is conferred by issuing a Title of Private Use of the National Maritime Space (TUPEM), in the form of a concession, licence or authorisation, regardless of the nature or legal form of the respective holder. 

As a rule, the national maritime space is of common use and enjoyment. The issuance of a TUPEM is only necessary when there is a private use, which implies the reservation of an area or volume of maritime space for an exploitation of the environment, marine resources or ecosystem services greater than that obtained by common use and which results in an advantage for the public interest.

The legal regime applicable to TUPEMs is established by Decree-Law No º 38/2015 of 12 March 2015, in its current wording, which develops the Basic Law on the National Maritime Spatial Planning and Management Policy, approved by Law No º 17/2014 of 10 April 2014, in its current wording.
 
The TUPEM can only be allocated if the use or activity is foreseen as potential in the Situation Plan or, if not, after approval of an Allocation Plan. The National Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan for the subdivision of the Azores (PSOEM-Azores) was approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No º 136/2024 of 16 October 2024.

Requests for allocation, modification, transmission or waiver of TUPEM must be submitted through the Sea Electronic Desk - BMar. 

Geographical information on the PSOEM-Azores and the TUPEM issued can be found on the SIGMAR-Azores Geoportal.

For more information, see Maritime Spatial Planning Portal - Azores. 
 

TUPEM awarded:
 

TUPEM n.º PT2025OTPM008100304: "NUVEM" - Telecommunications cable system

TUPEM n.º PT2026OTPM003377704: Construction of the New Port of Lajes das Flores - Immersion of Dragados

TUPEM n.º PT2026OTPM004917204: Network of mooring and signalling buoys to support maritime tourism on the island of Faia l