“This is an extremely symbolic moment, as it formally marks the start of the construction, not the reconstruction, of the new port of Lajes das Flores. It’s a long-awaited date for everyone,” stated the Secretary for Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure.
Berta Cabral, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the port’s construction, described it as the “most important project” of the Azorean Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), with a total investment of approximately 230 million euros.
“The total investment amounts to around 230 million euros, with a contract value of 194.83 million plus VAT,” said Berta Cabral, adding that “this investment in constructing the new port of Lajes das Flores will also be a symbol. A symbol of capacity, resilience, and ambition.”
The regional secretary argued that the commercial port of the island of Flores “has become a clear example of the region’s vulnerability” to climate change, as the infrastructure, once destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo, was again affected by Storm Efrain in December 2022.
“The project is scheduled to be executed within 60 months, meaning that by 2030, Flores will finally have a fully operational new port. It simply must. This investment is funded by the Sustainable [2030] program and deadlines must be met,” she warned.
The official indicated that the project will be financed with 167.5 million euros from EU funds and thanked the Republic’s Government for including the investment in the Sustainable 2030 program.
“It will require a very significant effort from the budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, amounting to 30 million euros over the next five years. This is an unprecedented milestone in terms of public investment in our region,” she emphasized.
Berta Cabral praised the role of SATA and the Air Force in supplying the island during “emergency situations” and assured that the supply of goods and merchandise to Flores will continue to be guaranteed until the project’s completion.
The president of Portos dos Açores highlighted that the works will include the reconstruction of the breakwater, the construction of a new quay, and a passenger terminal building.
“We are going to build a new port, and it is certainly the largest maritime-port civil construction project ever undertaken in our archipelago,” stressed the public company’s leader.
Sancha Costa Santos emphasized the complexity of the intervention and recalled the destruction caused by Hurricane Lorenzo.
“The images of the destruction that occurred at this port in October 2019 due to Hurricane Lorenzo are still vividly remembered by all of us. Such was the extent of the damage that it seemed the island of Flores would remain isolated for a long time.”
On January 3rd, financing for the construction of the new port of Lajes das Flores was approved, marking the start of the reconstruction of the infrastructure. According to a joint press release from the Ministries of Environment and Energy and Infrastructure and Housing, the total investment in the project “is 197,059,825 euros, with support of 167,500,851 euros from the Cohesion Fund.”
The port of Lajes das Flores was destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo in October 2019 and was affected again by Storm Efrain in December 2022.
