The Leixões port marina will be relocated near the cruise terminal following the construction of a new container terminal north of the Leça River, confirmed the port authority today.
“The Leixões marina will be relocated to the area adjacent to the cruise terminal, where infrastructure planned a decade ago already exists,” stated a response from the Administration of the Ports of Douro, Leixões, and Viana do Castelo (APDL) to inquiries.
The inquiry to APDL was made in light of the government’s Portos 5+ strategy, which projects an investment of 931 million euros in the Leixões port, from both public and private funds, by 2035.
According to the administration led by João Pedro Neves, regarding the marina, “complementary solutions are still being studied to ensure sustainable growth of nautical activities in the Matosinhos municipality and better conditions for the sailing clubs based at Porto de Leixões.”
“In both cases, the aim is to ensure better integration with the existing port infrastructure, improved service for marina users, and above all, a harmonious integration between the marina and the city, focusing on enhancing public spaces and offering new coastal paths for the enjoyment of the people of Matosinhos and the region,” stated APDL.
The relocation is also part of the Leixões Port Strategic Plan, “which is based on the Portos 5+ strategic axes recently presented by the government” and is “in the final stages of completion.”
“Its public presentation will occur in approximately three months,” noted APDL, with the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) already submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), currently “in the phase of responding to requested clarifications.”
Regarding the location of the northern container terminal and its landscape impact on Leça da Palmeira, APDL assures that its location “will allow the container operation center to be moved away from the urban area of Leça da Palmeira, transferring it to an area closer to the sea.”
“This way, the visual and noise impact on Leça da Palmeira will be reduced, preserving the quality of life of the populations,” stated the port authority.
The government anticipates an investment of 931 million euros in the Leixões port over the next ten years, including constructing a new container terminal on the northern breakwater, according to the national strategy Portos 5+.
According to the strategy, published by the Council of Ministers last week, of the projected 931 million euros investment until 2035, 219 million will come from the port authority or community funds, and 712 million from private companies.
“At the port of Leixões, the capacity is expected to increase by 10 million tons. The largest capacity increments will occur in containerized cargo with the new Northern Container Terminal and in roll-on/roll-off system cargo,” as stated in a resolution by the Council of Ministers published last week.
The Portos 5+ strategy, aimed at promoting the growth of the port sector over ten years, anticipates a 4 billion euro investment, 75% of which is private, and the launch of 15 new concessions, announced the government on July 30.
Also planned is the launch of 15 new concessions nationwide by 2035.
