Western Group cargo service to be retendered after bid exceeds limit

The public tender to charter a ship for regular cargo transport to the Azores’ Western Group has ended without an award. The only bid submitted exceeded the procedure’s base price, which was set at around €5.2 million.

The decision means the planned contract to strengthen freight connections to Flores and Corvo has not been completed. The Regional Government is now preparing a new tender to seek a contractual solution that meets the service’s needs within the available budget.

Maritime supply is especially important for these two islands, where the distance from the archipelago’s main distribution centres makes regular calls essential for the delivery of goods and cargo. Residents, businesses and local bodies closely follow changes to this transport model.

The next procedure will be key to maintaining continuity in the service for the Western Group. For the Azores, the case again highlights the challenge of securing reliable maritime links for islands with demanding operating conditions and smaller markets.