Vessel "Malena" to make calls on Terceira Island “whenever necessary and whenever justified,” assures Ana Cunha
The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works assured today at the Legislative Assembly in Horta that the vessel "Malena," which is in the Azores to exclusively supply the island of Flores, will "make calls on Terceira Island whenever necessary and whenever justified."
“At this time and with regard to the transport of live cattle, it was decided that the vessel should head directly to São Miguel so that the cattle could be transported on the vessel operating on the maritime links to Mainland Portugal." However, "in the next link, it is necessary to make a call on Terceira to unload the cattle exported to this island," said Ana Cunha.
The Secretary for Transport added that the vessel "will go as often as necessary to Flores to supply" this island, but also "not to leave cargo with destination to this island on Terceira or S. Miguel, nor the other way around."
The Regional Secretary recalled that the charter contract, under which "the Regional Government bears half the cost of the chartering and fuel" is "valid for a period of three months, which may be extended for equal periods up to a maximum of 18 months." In this regard, she added that, after the first three months, the supply to Flores "if not with "Malena," will be carried out by a vessel of similar characteristics."
"It will depend on the availability of the market and future vessel operations," he said.
Ana Cunha noted that "the charter period is short, precisely to analyse the vessel's behaviour at Lajes Port, and from then on we will ensure the chartering of a vessel on a continuous basis, either with "Malena" or with a vessel of identical characteristics." We do expect any interruption in the supply to the Flores, since there will not be "a time gap between one and another chartering."
The Regional Secretary also revealed that, from mid-December to January 1, "SATA transported a total of 6.5 tonnes of goods by air to Corvo. All costs were supported by the Regional Cohesion Fund as the island of Corvo had been without maritime links since the beginning of December."
Furthermore, she reiterated the Government's "intention on various occasion to compensate traders for their losses in terms of net business income until the period when the stability and frequency of the maritime transport of goods is ensured."
"For the avoidance of doubt, the Government will compensate traders for losses in their net business income, in their life and in their economic activity," stressed Ana Cunha.