Investment in maritime transport reinforces regional competitiveness and cohesion, assures Vasco Cordeiro
The Government of the Azores said on Friday that several investments made to improve the maritime transport sector fall within the strategy defined to harness the potential of the Azores, boost regional economy and reinforce the cohesion among the nine islands of the archipelago.
"These three main goals reinforce the strategy followed by the Government. As it happened with the entry of operation of these vessels and the transport of vehicles, the Government is not replacing the private sector; it is working together with the private entities providing these services," said Vasco Cordeiro.
Speaking at the blessing ceremony and public presentation of the vessel "Gilberto Mariano" in Madalena, the President of the Government noted that the maritime passenger transport sector is going through a transformation process, through the interventions in port infrastructures and the purchase of new vessels.
Besides the vessels "Mestre Simão" and "Gilberto Mariano," the President of the Government also pointed out that the construction of a new Passenger Terminal in Madalena, the expansion of the commercial wharf in Velas and the planned investment for the commercial wharf in São Roque.
According to him, these ongoing investments at various levels and the future purchase of larger vessels fall within the Government's strategy to achieve three clearly defined goals.
"Seizing the potential of the Sea as a channel of communication is the first goal of this strategy. This is an area where there is still a long way to go," added Vasco Cordeiro.
The second goal of this strategy is to boost the competitiveness of the regional economy by improving the mobility of people and goods across the archipelago, stressed the President of the Government. The Regional Government is working to achieve this goal in order to create an internal market.
According to Vasco Cordeiro, the third pillar of this strategy is based on the strengthening of regional cohesion, taking into consideration that these investments provide the conditions to bring all islands closer as a whole part of the Azores.
In his speech, the President of the Government pointed out that "Mestre Simão", which entered into operation on Friday, and "Gilberto Mariano," which will start its operation on Saturday, mark the beginning of a new phase in the transport of passengers on Central Group islands.
"Representing an investment over 18 million Euros, both vessels are now at the service of the main reason of being of these investments: to serve the Azorean people," said the President of the Government.
"Much has been said about these new vessels; sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes out of malice. We are here to demonstrate that this investment is in fact at the service of these islands. It was planned and defined to improve mobility in this area of the archipelago, with maximum convenience and comfort," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government noted that the choice of the names for these vessels was a tribute paid to Mestre Simão and Gilberto Mariano, who were two historical figures that played an important role in maritime passenger transport on the "Triangle islands" (Pico, Faial and São Jorge). He also announced that the new passenger terminal in Madalena will be named after "João Quaresma," who was another well-known figure in the maritime transport on Central Group islands.