The Strategy for Continental Commercial Ports 2025-2035, known as Portos 5+, developed in collaboration with the continental port administrations and their respective communities, has been approved by the government and is unveiled at a ceremony at the Rocha do Conde de Óbidos Maritime Station in Lisbon, attended by the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz.
The government revealed that a strategic axis involves increasing port infrastructure growth, with a projected private investment of about three billion euros and one billion from the Port Authority and community funds.
The plan also includes launching 15 new concessions by 2035, with the government highlighting the importance of recent legislative changes that allow granting concessions for up to 75 years.
“The growth in cargo handling at the main commercial ports of the continent is a core goal of this strategy for 2035, aiming to reach approximately 125 million tonnes (+50% compared to 2023), 6.5 million TEU [twenty-foot equivalent unit] (+70%), and three million passengers (+30%),” the government emphasized, also setting an objective to reduce CO2 emissions by 80%.
Planned investments include a new container terminal in the North and expansion of the Ro-Ro (Roll on — Roll off) terminal in the South zone of Leixões Port in Matosinhos, as well as the expansion and modernization of the current terminals at Aveiro Port and a new Ro-Ro terminal, focused on the automotive cluster of the Center.
In Figueira da Foz, the modernization of existing terminals and the improvement of maritime accessibility are planned. In Lisbon, there will be a reorganization and redevelopment of the eastern zone terminals and the implementation of the strategy for Silotagus. In Setúbal, the expansion of the open area with the launch of new terminals and the enhancement of shipbuilding capacities are planned, including a tender for the Mitrena shipyard.
In Sines, the country’s largest port by size and capacity, the expansion of the Sines XXI Terminal will be realized, and a new Vasco da Gama container terminal will be launched.
From the total estimated investment, 250 million euros are allocated to promoting decarbonization and sustainability, including setting up Onshore Power Supply (OPS) stations in all ports.
An additional investment of 300 million euros aims at enhancing intermodality and connectivity, such as improving rail access to Leixões, Aveiro, and Setúbal ports and developing navigability in the Douro and Tejo Rivers.
The strategy also includes a 70 million euro investment in digitalization and automation and 300 million euros to enhance integration between ports and urban areas and strengthen security, with a transfer of competencies to municipalities (Almada, Faro, Lagoa, Lisbon, Oeiras, Setúbal, Sines, Viana do Castelo, and Vila Nova de Gaia).
