Berta Cabral highlights growth of Mutualista Açoriana fleet in bolstering new maritime transport model in the Azores - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, welcomed today the expansion of Mutualista Açoreana’s fleet, noting that this investment “adds strength and credibility to the structural reform initiated by the Government of the Azores in 2025 for the maritime freight transport sector.”

She highlighted that this reform has already produced tangible results on the ground, notably with the introduction of weekly services to the islands of Graciosa and Santa Maria, bringing an end to the previous model under which supplies were delivered fortnightly.

In this regard, Berta Cabral also praised the launch of a new “Weekly Express” service by Mutualista Açoreana, as provided for in the new transport model, emphasising that the entry into service of the vessel “Açor B” represents “a decisive step towards enhancing the frequency, predictability and quality of supplies to the islands.”

“It is particularly significant that Mutualista Açoreana, through this fleet expansion, is moving forward with the new phase set out in the study on the new model for maritime freight transport in the Region. It is actively contributing to improving the response to the needs of businesses and the local population,” she said.

Recalling the work carried out by the Government with shipowners to increase the installed capacity for freight transport, Berta Cabral reiterated that the new vessel is an essential component in ensuring a more efficient and resilient system, capable of meeting growing demand.

It should be noted that the new maritime transport model adopted is a mixed model, comprising weekly supplies to the islands of Santa Maria and Graciosa (which previously received fortnightly supplies), express service vessels between Lisbon and Leixões to Praia da Vitória and Ponta Delgada, as well as direct call vessels and smaller inter-island vessels.

The Regional Secretary also emphasised that the next step in this reform concerns the transformation of port operations to fully integrate them into the new regional logistics framework.

“We are bringing about a true paradigm shift in the Azores’ maritime and port sector, based on an integrated vision that links ships, ports and logistics chains, with clear benefits for the regional economy,” he said.

Berta Cabral pointed out that the reform of port operations goes far beyond one-off adjustments, representing a far-reaching reorganisation of how regional ports operate, with specific and measurable goals: improving the frequency and predictability of operations; increasing logistical efficiency and reducing response times; and reducing indirect costs arising from the system’s instability.

“Essentially, we want ports to cease once and for all from being a passive factor and to establish themselves as a genuine driving force for competitiveness, economic development and territorial cohesion,” she concluded.