APS – Administration of the Ports of Sines and Algarve will move forward, at the beginning of 2026, with three large-scale interventions aimed at reinforcing the competitiveness of the Port of Portimão. The entity explains that these actions are “aligned with the objectives defined in the Strategy for Commercial Ports on the Continent 2025-2035 ― PORTS 5+”, which foresees “the growth of passenger traffic in national ports, by around 30%”.
According to APS, the Port Authority will begin “dredging to maintain maritime accessibility funds”, a measure that will restore safety and operational conditions for the reception of cruise ships up to 220 meters. This intervention aims to directly contribute to increasing the port’s operational capacity.
At the same time, “a naval repair and structural improvement of the RO-RO pier for ferry ships and for the simultaneous docking of two tenders” will be carried out. These vessels transport passengers from ships anchored offshore to the Portimão Cruise Terminal. APS emphasizes that the intervention will allow “to speed up and increase the supply for ships with greater capacity”.
The port administration will also promote “the reinforcement and improvement of land accessibility to Gare Marítima do Porto de Portimão”, ensuring better connection conditions between the port and the city and increasing efficiency in passenger movement.
Recalls that the Port of Portimão, “with strong growth potential, strategically located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean routes”, has already planned around 100 cruise ship calls for 2026 and 117 calls for 2027.
In 2025, the port is expected to end the year with “one of the best results ever”, registering 58 calls and around 23,000 passengers, which represents year-on-year growth of 45% and 63%, respectively.
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