14 million Euro investment in Pipas Port strengthens Angra do Heroísmo's connection with the sea, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government presided over the ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction works for the roll-on/roll-off ramp and the improvement of the operating and shelter conditions of Pipas Port in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, an investment of about 14 million Euros that will boost maritime connections on this Central Group island.
“This is an investment that materialises one of the essential vectors to strengthen the connection of the city and municipality of Angra do Heroísmo with the sea. Its importance is based on the significant improvement in the operating conditions that it will have compared to current situation," said Vasco Cordeiro, on the first day of the Regional Government's visit to the island of Terceira.
According to him, the expansion of the main quay of this port to an overall length of 180 metres will reinforce its capacity for thematic cruise calls, while the construction of the roll-on/roll-off ramp will boost the maritime connections with the Central Group island, through the ferry ships operated by Atlânticoline. Additionally, it will have the conditions for the transport of passengers and vehicles in its full capacity.
"This investment is, therefore, a clear sign of the improvement in the operating conditions of this port and the creation of new areas with strong potential. If we add up to these 14 million Euros another four million Euros for the recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, we will guarantee all the conditions to have an infrastructure with increased safety and better operating conditions," stressed the President of the Government.
The works in Pipas Port are part of a series of investments that have been made in port infrastructures and equipment on the island of Terceira, Vasco Cordeiro said, noting that the completed works, ongoing works and works already launched already amount to about 28 million Euros in the legislative period alone.
From a regional perspective, the President of the Government stated that an investment of more than 400 million Euros is expected for this area in the 2016-2023 period, including the recovery of port infrastructures damaged by Hurricane Lorenzo in late 2019.
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro pointed out, on the other hand, that the company Portos dos Açores has been "working hard" on another structural investment for the island of Terceira, the Praia da Vitória Cruise Terminal.
Once a suitable solution has been found from a technical standpoint, this work will allow us to take the step forward in the consultation with various entities, so that we can move forward, as fast as possible, with this investment. With the implementation of other functionalities, it may strengthen the role that this island plays in maritime leisure transport, said the President of the Government.