In 2020, the Port of Lisbon registered a total of 1.4 million tons in the movement of goods with the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, representing 15% of the total throughput handled in the Port of Lisbon. It should be noted that, of the total containerized cargo handled in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, 60% has its origin or destination in the port of Lisbon, while in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, this share rises to 88%, positioning Lisbon as the leading national port in this traffic.
Among the busiest goods, we highlight products intended for food consumption, such as milk and cream, fruits and vegetables and other food preparations, as well as products for processing, such as raw wood.
José Castel-Branco, Member of the Board of Directors of the Port of Lisbon, points out that “during the pandemic, the volume of cargo handled with the Autonomous Regions, with special emphasis on the food supply and health-related products, reveals the strategic importance of the Port of Lisbon, not only on the continent, but also for both Madeira and Azores. ”
This traffic is carried out at two terminals located on the east side of the port of Lisbon, the Lisbon Multipurpose Terminal (operated by TSA) and the Santa Apolónia Container Terminal (operated by Yilport Sotagus), however, complementary operations are carried out at other terminals of the port located on the south bank, with respect to other types of cargo, such as agri-food bulk.
Currently, there are five regular lines operating at the port of Lisbon on a weekly basis that guarantee connections between Lisbon and the Autonomous Regions, Açoreana (from the Bensaúde group), Azores Expresso (Transinsular), Madeira Expresso (Transinsular), Madeira Traffic (Grupo Sousa) , Azores Traffic (Sousa Group), achieving the total of 313 calls, in 2020.